National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy for young disabled people: islands communities impact assessment

2. What data is available and who will be affected?

Current Data on Islands

There is limited data available specifically on the experiences of transitions for young disabled people in island communities, however some of the following data is relevant:

• As of mid-2022, the population of rural Scotland was approximately 958,912 people, made up of 664,114 in accessible rural areas and 294,798 in remote rural areas. This rural population comprised about 18% of Scotland's total population at that time^[1].
• The proportion of island residents with a long-term (lasting 12 months or more) health problem or disability that limited their day-to-day activities was just under 20%, including 9% who reported their daily activities were limited a lot. The corresponding proportions for Scotland as a whole were very similar^[2].
• In rural areas, 49% of adults report a long term health condition, and 22% of children note having a long term health condition^[3]
• Young disabled people on Scotland's islands face additional challenges such as higher fuel poverty, transport barriers, and limited access to specialist health and care services compared to mainland, contributing to increased vulnerability^[4].
• Energy costs and accessing essential services remain particularly difficult for disabled people in remote and island communities, worsening the cost-of-living pressures on young disabled people in those areas^[5].
• Young disabled people on Scotland’s islands face intersecting inequalities due to their disability, youth, and geographical isolation, impacting education, health outcomes, employment, and social inclusion^[6].
• In 2022 approximately 31% of disabled people in the UK were in poverty, with 38% of people with a long-term, limiting mental health condition living in poverty. Higher poverty rates for disabled people are considered to be due to the additional costs associated with disability and ill health and partly due to the barriers to work they face^[7].
• The number of young people (aged 16-34) is substantially lower than in urban Scotland. Around 18% of the population in remote rural areas and 20% of accessible rural areas are aged 16-34 compared with 26% for the rest of Scotland^[8]. Island councils were likely to experience a reduction in population compared with their urban city council counterparts.^[9]
• Households containing a disabled person have higher levels of child material deprivation (20%) compared to households with no disabled people (8%)^[10]. This is reinforced by more recent statistics: having a disabled person in the household substantially increases the risk and severity of poverty for the household, with greater material deprivation, income poverty, and food insecurity compared to non-disabled households^[11].
• Overall, only 53% of young people felt that their perspectives were taken into account by adults. Less young disabled adults felt their perspectives were considered (47%) than young non-disabled adults (58%)^[12].
• It has been calculated that rural and island communities can face a 15-30% higher cost of living due to increased prices of goods and services and different patterns of behaviour to combat remoteness, compared to communities in urban areas of the UK – even before accounting for domestic energy costs^[13].
• The majority of islanders agreed or strongly agree that they can easily access GPs, dentists and pharmacies in 2020, but the majority (39%) did not know if they could easily access mental health services^[14].

Key Stakeholders

The Strategy aims to support all young disabled people in Scotland aged between 14-25 who are making the transition into adult life.

Evidence gathering for the Strategy’s development was extensive and inclusive, spanning from early 2023 to the Strategy’s publication in June 2025. It included direct engagement with young disabled people, families, carers, and professionals across education, health, and social care through workshops, surveys, and consultations.

Engagement continued throughout 2024–2025, reaching over 500 participants across 36 sessions. All findings informed the Strategy’s priorities and implementation plan, with impact assessments used to guide development and future monitoring.

The process was supported by the External Strategic Working Group and a Young People’s Working Group, ensuring lived experience shaped the Strategy. Key contributions came from ARC Scotland, whose Seven Principles of Good Transitions informed both the Strategy.

Difference in Data between Island Communities

At present, data is limited between island communities. However it is expected that larger island communities, or islands located closer to mainland Scotland (for example, Cumbrae) will likely have easier access to services than more remote islands or those with a smaller population.

Mitigations

The vast majority of engagement sessions were conducted online supporting everyone across Scotland, including Island communities, to contribute. Our external strategic working group included members representing the whole of Scotland. Stakeholders shared and promoted engagement events with their stakeholders across all of Scotland, including island communities.

The Strategy has committed to a data audit to consider where existing data collection can be improved to benefit consistency and transparency as well as consider where data gaps exist and further analysis is required. Limitations on young disabled people living in island communities will be included in this.