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.
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
Planning starts
too late
Too many
young people
not eligible for
support
Lack the
voice of
young people
Person
centred
Planning is
often lacking
Transition
problems
“THE BIG 9”
Confusing
language
Support for
transitions
planning until
25
Accessible,
proportionate
relevant
information
Start planning
early
proportionatel
y
Education
leads with
dedicated
local authority
transitions
teams
Early
intervention
model –
Outcome led
assessment
Advocacy,
representatio
n and
citizenship
Embed Person
centred
planning (in its
truest sense)
Dedicated
Legislative/pol
icy team
that’s explores
links
Transition
Solutions
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
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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