Policy and Practice Engagement
As the findings emerge within the project we are taking opportunities to ensure they reach relevant stakeholders to influence how policies and practices around transition support for disabled young people can be improved. Here we detail and update some of the work we are doing.
Policy Briefs
Throughout this project, we will produce a series of policy briefs for decision-makers and stakeholders in the North East of England and Scotland based on our findings from our research.
April 2024
Our first policy brief, with a focus on the UK Government’s Disability Action Plan; the Scottish Government’s National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy; and a recommendation for the North East’s two mayoral combined authorities and local partners.
Policy and Consultation Submissions
April 2024
The Scottish Government is holding a consultation on its proposed Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill. We have responded to this consultation, sharing some of the emerging findings from our research. You can read our consultation response here.
April 2024
The House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee is holding an inquiry into disability employment. You can read the written evidence we submitted to this inquiry on the Committee’s website.
October 2023
We made a joint submission to the UK Government’s consultation on its draft Disability Action Plan, based on the emerging findings from our research. You can read our joint submission here.
November 2023
The House of Lords Public Services Committee is holding an inquiry into the transition from education to employment for young disabled people, to which our project team member Dr Charlotte Pearson is now acting as a specialist adviser. You can read our joint submission to this inquiry on the Committee’s website.
November 2023
We responded to a Scottish Government survey consulting on its ‘statement of intent’ for the proposed development of a National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy for disabled young people in Scotland. You can read our survey response here.
December 2023
The Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee is holding an inquiry into Additional Support for Learning (ASL). You can read the submission we made to this inquiry on the Committee’s website.
Learning from the Development of Principles of Good Transitions in Scotland
Online workshop, 9th October 2023
On the 9th of October 2023, we held an online workshop exploring the development in Scotland of the Principles of Good Transitions, the implementation of Principles into Practice and the launch of the Compass software/app. 73 participants from across North East and Cumbria local authorities, the healthcare sector, and advocacy organisations registered to find out about this work, which has been a result of a long term collaboration between ARC Scotland, local authorities, the Scottish government and crucially the input of disabled young people at all stages. Scott Richardson-Read of the Scottish Transitions Forum from ARC Scotland outlined the work that had been done, while Vici Richardson from Disability North and Helen Sutherland from the Northumberland Parent and Carer Forum and Chair of the North Northumberland branch of the National Autistic Society highlighted some of the experiences of disabled young people and their families in the North East and Cumbria.
The aim was first to introduce the work that has occurred in Scotland but also to explore the possibilities of drawing from this work and the resources that have been produced to improve the coordination of services and the experiences of disabled young people and their families. From those present, there seemed an appetite to take these discussions further and explore what could be possible. We will be exploring how we can help facilitate those possibilities.
Below are materials from the day, including a summary of discussions, a recording of the presentations, slides and further material provided by ARC Scotland on their work.
We will be in contact with participants to explore what the next steps should be.
Summary of our discussions in the breakout rooms
Recording of the presentations by Scott Richardson-Read, Vici Richardson and Helen Sutherland (please note that unfortunately the recording began 5 minutes into Scott’s presentation).
Resources
Scott Richardson-Read’s slides: NE network event slides
Vici Richardson’s slides: Vici Richardson Transitions presentation
Information about the Principles into Practice work and Compass:
Scottish Transitions Forum website: http://scottishtransitions.org.uk
Sign up for Compass our digital transitions tool: http://www.compasslaunch.scot/
Principles into Practice Framework to improve Transitions: http://www.pn2p.scot/
Youtube Channel for ARC Scotland (which has lots of info on the work behind the Principles from the disabled young people who have been involved): https://www.youtube.com/user/scotlandARC