National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy for Young Disabled People

Foreword

“We will continue to work collaboratively with young disabled people and their families, with those who provide the high-quality support and planned transitions that we know every young disabled person should have, and with colleagues across the Chamber to ensure that all young disabled people who are making the transition to adulthood in Scotland are empowered to achieve their full potential.” Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Scottish Parliament, 20 November 2024

The transition to adulthood is a significant milestone in every young person’s life. For young disabled people, that transition can be uniquely complex, requiring thoughtful and tailored support, often across multiple facets of their lives. Recognising this, the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) have come together to present Scotland’s first National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy for young disabled people.

Our shared goal is to ensure that every young disabled person in Scotland feels confident in their transition to adulthood and is empowered and supported to control their own path to success.

This strategy is a response to the lived experiences of young disabled people and their families, who have consistently highlighted the complexities and challenges they can face during this period. It builds on our collective responsibility to improve transitions and ensure that no young disabled person is left without the support they need during this time. It also reflects our recognition that the transition to adulthood can impact every aspect of a young disabled person’s life.

No single policy, sector, organisation, service, or individual in isolation can make the changes needed to improve outcomes for young disabled people making the transition to adulthood. This strategy therefore calls for a co-ordinated, collaborative approach that integrates the efforts of all relevant sectors and partners.

The seven Principles of Good Transitions, developed by the Association for Real Change (ARC) Scotland, and endorsed by the Scottish Government, COSLA and many other partners, serve as a strong foundation for this strategy. These principles emphasise the importance of early, person-led planning and decision making, and access to information and co-ordinated support. They guide professionals across paediatric and adult health, children’s and adult social work, education, and other sectors to collaborate effectively to both plan and deliver support for young disabled people during this period of their lives.

This strategy seeks to further embed these principles.

COSLA members are supportive of the work of ARC Scotland, including the Principles of Good Transitions, Principles into Practice and Compass. The support from Scottish Government to further roll these out as highlighted in the strategy is welcomed.

This strategy also builds on our previously published Statement of Intent and the solution-focused engagement which followed. From this, we identified five priorities which we believe are key to achieving our collective ambition that all young disabled people in Scotland can experience a supported and positive transition to adult life. These are:

1. Choice, Control, and Empowerment: Ensuring young disabled people have a voice in their transition planning.

2. Clear and Accessible Information: Ensuring young disabled people and those who support them have understandable information at every stage of the transition.

3. Co-ordination of Support: Ensuring seamless communication and collaboration across sectors.

4. High-Quality Transitions Practices: Establishing consistent, national standards for transition practices.

5. Data Collection and Measurement: Using data to monitor progress and drive continuous improvement.

These priorities are designed to set a consistent national standard while continuing to encourage flexibility and local innovation and implementation. They build on what we know already works well, and the good practice we have heard about and seen across many areas of Scotland.

However, despite those fantastic efforts, we know that experiences continue to differ and that some young disabled people are still not getting the support that they need at the right time. These priorities therefore set out to strengthen practice where we have heard improvements are still most needed.

We know transitions is a complex area. The policy and legislative landscape surrounding it has been described by many stakeholders as cluttered and difficult to navigate. In response to this, we have added a sixth priority for this strategy:

6. Connecting to a wider policy landscape: Bringing together existing policies, legislation, plans and activities which contribute to improving transitions to adulthood for young disabled people in a more strategic and coherent way.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the young disabled people, their parents, carers and families, and all the professionals who have taken the time to share their insights and lived and living experiences, to help shape this strategy. Your contributions have been invaluable in creating an approach that reflects lived realities and practical solutions. We have heard you.

Thank you also to the members of the External Strategic Working Group who have provided wide-ranging knowledge, expertise and experience which has steered the work leading to this strategy. We have appreciated all your time, dedication, passion and input.

Thank you to members across Parliament, and in particular to the Education, Children and Young People Committee for their thorough consideration of Pam Duncan Glancy MSP’s Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill, their comprehensive Stage 1 report, and their continued commitment to monitoring the work of the External Strategic Working Group. These have all contributed to, and strengthened the work, we have taken forward to improve young disabled people’s experiences of their transition to adulthood. We look forward to continuing to work with you.

Working together, we can make the difference to ensure that all young disabled people in Scotland experience positive, supported transitions, paving the way for a future where they can thrive.

We all have a part to play.

Natalie Don-Innes MSP

Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise

Kaukab Stewart MSP

Minister for Equalities

Councillor Tony Buchanan

COSLA Spokesperson for Children and Young People