Scottish Transitions Forum

Association for Real Change - Scotland

The Scottish Transitions Forum

The Scottish Transitions Forum began in 2008.

It now has over 200 members that meet every 3 to 4 months in either Glasgow or Edinburgh.

The membership of the forum consists of a wide range of individuals but primarily 3rd sector.

Membership of the Scottish Transitions Forum is open to anyone who is committed to improving the transit ions for young people with additional support needs.

The Principles Of Good Transitions Practice Document – Why?

Young people moving through transitions are not a homogenous group and come from a wide range of different circumstances.

This document has been developed by members of the Scottish Transitions Forum (ARC Scotland) with the aim to inform policy and to fundamentally change the way we do things in Scotland in the area of youth transitions, from the top down and the bottom up.

We need to help young people and their carers achieve positive outcomes through greater Personalisation, independence, choice and control of the transitions process.

The Principles Of Good Transitions Practice Document – How?

The document was developed from: existing policy reviews and academic

literature. consultation with forum members.Consultation with families.Case studies.Consultation with civil servant teams and

departments.

Principles of Good Transitions evidence base

HMIe report to Scottish Ministers: Review of the Additional Support for Learning Act November 2010

A critical review and analysis of current research and policy relating to disabled children and young people in Scotland: A report to Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, Professor Kirsten Stalker, Dr Lio Moscardini, April 2012.

Education (Additional Support for Learning) Act 2009 Amended codes of practice and legislation

The Right Help at the Right Time in the Right Place. Strategic Review of Learning Provision for Children and Young People with Complex Additional Support Needs. Doran Review November 2012

MCMC reports : School to Post School Transitions for children and young people with additional support needs (Haughey, 2011); Summary Report of review of support for young people with Additional Support Needs (2012)

Principles of Good Transitions Additional Resources used

Getting it Right For Every Child Various Guidance and literature

Children and Young People Bill

Self Directed Support Bill (now Act)

Early Years Framework

Curriculum for Excellence

Opportunities for all

More Choices More Chances

Care Coordination Network Literature.

Children's Legislation – Broad Spectrum

Adult Legislation – Broad Spectrum

Education (Additional Support for Learning) Act 2009 Amended codes of practice and legislation

Integration literature (20/20 vision and the released upcoming public services bill)

Principles of Good Transitions - Members feedback

To ensure the findings represented what was happening in the “real world” we consulted across our membership across Scotland.

This was done via web-surveys and face to face discussions with members at various events to help make sure that the solutions to the issues were grounded in real practice experiences.

We also spoke at length to various academic experts in the fields of Looked after Children, Disability and Children's Rights

The Principles Of Good Transitions Practice -

Findings

The Scottish Transitions Forum identified 9 key problems (and

corresponding solutions) faced by young people in transition and

their carers in Scotland.

We have called these THE BIG 9.

Transition

problems

Person centred

Planning is often lacking

Lack the voice of

young people

Planning starts too late

Lack of support for

future transitions

Lack of information

for carers and young people

Confusing legislative and policy framework

Support is not

coordinated between services

Too many young people not eligible for support

Confusing language

“THE BIG 9”

Transition

Solutions

Embed Person centred

planning (in its truest sense)

Advocacy, representatio

n and citizenship

Start planning

early proportionate

ly

Support for transitions

planning until 25

Accessible, proportionate

relevant information

Dedicated Legislative/po

licy team that’s

explores linksEducation leads with

dedicated local authority

transitions teams

Early intervention

model – Outcome led assessment

Standardise language

across fields

The Principles Of Good Transitions Practice –

Currently The document has included changes to it from the

Autism Strategy to represent the concerns of this group pre publication.

The views have been taken to the Advisory Group for the Additional Support for Learning to look at improving transitions (Scottish Government).

Skills Development Scotland are exploring potential service improvement in light of the information.

National Managed Clinical Network for Children with Exceptional Health Care Needs are exploring how these principles will effect health care transitions.

Steps for Next Revision

• Gather evidence from case studies presented from members and partner agencies across Scotland.

• To promote positive practice within member agencies.

• To engage with Local Authorities to explore options for improving on current transitions pathways within Health, Social Care and Education.

• To develop an evaluation tool in partnership with members, based on the principles document.

• To continue a film project, creating a resource that captures the experiences of children and families in the transitions process from all additional support need areas.

• Continue to recommend a review of the links between Legislation within Children and Adults areas and how this impacts on practice.

• To incorporate the work of health care in transitions areas through working with the NCMNCEN and other partner agencies.

Interested in membership?

Go to www.scottishtransitions.org.uk

And click Join us