
A new Bill has been proposed by Johann Lamont MSP that is designed to improve outcomes for children and young people with a disability in the transition to adulthood. It aims to ensure every disabled child with an impairment or long-term health condition has a right to a Transition Plan.
“As a former teacher I know only too well about the challenges faced by disabled youngsters in moving on into further and higher education or finding work or training,” said Johanne Lamont MSP. “We need to do much more to assist young disabled people during this important and challenging times in their lives; my Bill aims to help address the problems they face and make a start in providing the additional support that they so desperately need.”
The Bill will require the Scottish Government to introduce a national transitions strategy to improve outcomes for children and young people with a disability in the transition to adulthood and to appoint a Minister with special responsibility for transitions. The consultation runs until 22 January 2020 and can be found here: https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusi…/…/113161.aspx
The consultation document sets out the case for introducing statutory duties to ensure that a higher proportion of disabled children and young people have positive transitions which help them to access their rights, fulfil their ambitions and make the most of their lives. The consultation seeks views on whether or not the proposed new legal duties will make a positive difference to the lives of disabled children and young people.
Commenting on proposal Una MacFadyen a Trustee with Children’s Health Scotland said: “Children’s Health Scotland supports the efforts to improve the experience of transition to adult services for families where a young person has disability, chronic condition or complex needs. While some specialist services provide transition clinics and guidelines for named diagnoses there is no equity of provision leaving families often struggling to find their way through a confusing and potentially inappropriate or inadequate provision of health care.
“The report of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh ‘Think Transition’ highlighted the key role of the GP in offering continuity of health care through the transition period as well as the need for a key person known to the young person throughout the process. Formal recognition of this unmet need is welcome providing the resources for training and workforce accompany any legislation.”