Disabled young people: National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy Strategic Working Group minutes - December 2023

Attendees and apologies

• Anne-Marie Sturrock, Borders College – representing college practitioners
• Anne Wilson, National Managed Clinical Network – Children with Exceptional Healthcare Needs
• Beth Kirby, Scottish Government
• Dr Edwin Jesudason, NHS Lothian – representing adult health
• Elizabeth McBride, Promoting a More Inclusive Society (PAMIS)​
• Fergus McMillan, Skills Development Scotland
• Fiona Burns, Scottish Funding Council
• Frances Foreman, Education Scotland
• Helen Forrest, Children's Health Scotland
• Iain Wilson, Independent Living Fund Scotland
• James Fletcher, ARC Scotland
• John Urquhart, COSLA
• Lee House, Independent Living Fund Scotland
• Michelle Wilson, Children’s Health Scotland
• Rachel Bell, Scottish Government
• Robert White, Independent Living Fund Scotland
• Sam Nicholson, Education Scotland
• Sarah Lawson, Scottish Government
• Scott Richardson-Read, ARC Scotland
• Tracey Francis, ARC Scotland
• Una Macfadyen, NHS Lothian – representing adult health

Items and actions

Welcome and review of previous meeting minutes and actions

RB welcomed attendees and noted apologies. The agenda and meeting outcomes were shared:

• to review and update the terms of reference
• to share initial feedback from engagement on the Statement of Intent
• to share the workplan for 2024

Group updates

SL invited the group to share updates:

• Care Leaver Payment public consultation – open until 26 January 2024
• Education Reform: A Consultation on the provisions of the Education Bill public consultation – open until 18 December 2023
• The Stage 1 debate took place on the Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Member’s Bill on 23rd November 2023. The Bill fell at Stage 1, and the Education, Children and Young People Committee has published the Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 Report on the Scottish Parliament website
• CELCIS Research – strand 4 was published on 15 November 2023
• Call for views from the Education, Children and Young People Committee on Additional Support for Learning in Scotland is open until 31 December 2023
• Social Security Scotland have made changes to the Children Disability Payment (CDP) and Adult Disability Payment (ADP) Regulations in order to smooth the journey for clients moving from CDP to ADP
• The Scottish Commission on Social Security have shared their Scrutiny report

Terms of reference 

The group discussed the proposed updated terms of reference, using polls to capture views from attendees. Overall, the group agreed to the proposed changes.

Statement of Intent - engagement

SL outlined the engagement on the Statement of Intent, confirming that the online consultation closed on 30 November 2023. SL then gave an overview of the initial data gathered from the 114 responses, alongside feedback from events.

RB noted that a qualitative analysis of the submissions will also be undertaken and published in early 2023.

The group discussed the role of events in capturing young people’s voices, and the importance of this in the full strategy consultation.

Members noted the small number of responses from young people, and encouraged scoping engagement opportunities in future to ensure young people are included.

MW suggested adding a longer timeline to facilitate events with disabled young people.

The group was invited to share any feedback they have received on the Statement of Intent.

UM highlighted the importance of independent advocacy.

Members discussed how young people’s views had been solicited to write the Statement of Intent.

AMS suggested connecting with the National Union of Students, agreeing to share a contact with Scottish Government.

Strategic Working Group – workplan

SL shared an outline of the workplan and timeline for developing the National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy. Members were invited to share feedback on the workplan.

One member commented that the timeline is ambitious.

The group reflected on its membership, and the professions and sectors represented. Members will be encouraged to share and test the development of the strategy with their own stakeholders and connections.

The group discussed the impact of the current financial landscape on services for young people, and potential resource commitment once the strategy is published.

RB noted that the costs of the strategy will be determined by the actions which are included in the final strategy. These will require to be assessed and agreed within the context of the budget process.

Any other business, future meeting date, next steps and close

RB closed the meeting and confirmed the next meeting date and time – Wednesday 31 January 2024 at 13.30-15.00.

RB requested feedback from members on scheduling an extraneous meeting in March 2024. Attendees agreed to this, with some noting preference for an online meeting.

Actions

• Scottish Government colleagues to schedule an invitation for an additional meeting in March 2024