National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy - statement of intent: engagement analysis summary

You said

The responses to the closed questions were analysed by calculating the total counts for each response option. A thematic analysis has been carried out for the open text responses, with responses allocated to common themes.

In reporting on the analysis of responses to the open questions, the following descriptors have been used to report on the number of respondents to each question raising a particular issue or theme:

• ‘A small number’ - up to 5 respondents
• ‘A few’ – between 6 and 9 respondents
• ‘A small minority’ - more than 9 respondents but less than 10%
• ‘A significant minority’ - between approximately 10-24% of respondents
• ‘A large minority’ - more than a quarter of respondents but less than half
• ‘A majority’ - more than half

This summary document reports on the quantitative analysis of responses to each of the questions in turn, and also notes the themes emerging through the qualitative analysis of open-text responses. A full description of what is meant by each of these themes can be found in the full report.

This summary version concludes by highlighting the themes which recur across responses to three or more survey questions. These were:

• Role of parents/carers
• Access to services and support
• Young people with complex needs
• Transitions between children’s and adult’s services

Question 1: Do you agree that the meaning we have given to ‘transition to adulthood’ is the correct one for the strategy?

There were 150 responses to this question. As shown in Table 3 at the Annex, the vast majority of respondents either ‘strongly agreed’ (59 respondents; 39%) or ‘agreed’

(86 respondents; 57%) that the meaning given to ‘transition to adulthood’ is the correct one for the strategy. Only a very small minority of respondents ‘disagreed’ (2 respondents; 1%) and none ‘strongly disagreed’.

For the follow up question (‘Please explain your answer’), a total of 112 responses were received. A significant minority of respondents used this opportunity to make a number of general comments supporting the proposed definition of ‘transition to adulthood’.

No transition is a set thing even if there is a date that ‘marks’ the move – it is a process and the definition acknowledges this.

Six overarching themes were identified through other open text responses to this question. They were:

• Flexibility within the age range
• Transitions as an ongoing process
• Transitions practices
• Access to services and support
• Role of parents/carers
• Specific conditions

Question 2: Do you agree that the meaning we have given to ‘disabled young people’ is the correct one for the strategy?

There were 150 responses to this question. As shown in Table 4 at the Annex, the vast majority of respondents either ‘strongly agreed’ (57 respondents; 38%) or ‘agreed’ (78 respondents; 52%) that the meaning given to ‘disabled young people’ is the correct one for the strategy. A very small minority either ‘disagreed’ (3 respondents; 2%) or ‘strongly disagreed’ (2 respondents; 1%).

A total of 103 responses were received for the follow up question (‘Please explain your answer’). A large minority of respondents made general comments in support of the proposed definition under ‘disabled young people’.

The use of the definition set out within the Equality Action [Act] (2010) seems appropriate and this definition encompasses people with a wide spectrum of disabilities, including complex health needs such as those with life shortening conditions.

However, there were a small number of respondents who commented on whether a young person would necessarily identify as ‘disabled’. Examples given included neurodiverse and deaf young people. There were also some reflections on perceived negative connotations associated with the terminology of ‘disabled’. Similar to the proposed definition of ‘transition to adulthood’, some respondents acknowledged that no single definition would cover all individual preferences.

The meaning you have given is broad and inclusive. We particularly like the recognition that some people may not define themselves as disabled.

Five overarching themes were identified through responses to this question. They were:

• Access to services and support
• Interaction with other policies and legislation
• Role of parents/carers
• Intersectionality
• Language

Question 3: Do you agree that the vision is correct for the strategy?

There were 150 responses to this closed question. As demonstrated in Table 5 at the Annex, the vast majority of respondents either ‘strongly agreed’ (59 respondents; 39%) or ‘agreed’ (70 respondents; 47%) that the vision is correct for the strategy. Only a very small minority of respondents ‘disagreed’ (4 respondents; 3%) or ‘strongly disagreed’ (2 respondents; 1%).

106 respondents provided additional information for the follow up question (‘Please explain your answer’). A large minority of these respondents were supportive of the proposed vision. However, a few respondents expressed concerns on the relevance of the vision to all disabled young people and the practicalities and challenges of realising it.

This definition is appropriate and describes an empowering vision.

This entirely misses out a group of disabled young people who lack the capacity to make decisions for themselves.

Through responses to this question, the following four overarching themes emerged:

• Aspiration of the vision statement
• The vision versus reality
• Interaction with other policies and other legislation
• Role of parents/carers

Question 4: Do you agree that the priorities are the correct ones for the strategy?

There were 146 responses to this question. As demonstrated in Table 6 at the Annex, the vast majority of respondents either ‘strongly agreed’ (56 respondents; 38%) or ‘agreed’ (71 respondents; 49%) that the priorities are the correct ones for the strategy. Only a small minority either ‘disagreed’ (5 respondents; 3%) or ‘strongly disagreed’ (2 respondents; 1%).

A total of 130 responses were received for the follow up question (‘Please explain your answer’). Whilst a significant minority indicated their support for the proposed priorities as set out, a few respondents felt it was difficult to comment on the priorities without understanding how they would be delivered in practice.

The priorities are clearly detailed and should be what we all strive to achieve for all young people.

The following seven overarching themes were identified from responses to this question:

• Envisioned priorities versus reality
• Choice, control and empowerment for the young person (relevance to Priority 1)
• Clear and coherent information (relevance to Priority 2)
• Coordination of individual support and communication across sectors (relevance to Priority 3)
• Consistency of practice and support across Scotland (relevance to Priority 4)
• Collection of data to measure progress and improvements (relevance to Priority 5)
• Other

Question 5: Do you have any other comments on the statement of intent?

From the 108 responses received on this final open question (the only available response type for this particular question), the overarching themes which emerged echo much of what has been expressed in responses to previous questions. The following main three themes were identified:

• Aspiration versus reality
• Access to services and support
• Involving young people and parents/carers