Camphill Scotland welcomes Transitions Bill

A Bill to support young people through what can be a difficult time of transition has been lodged with the Scottish Parliament.  Johann Lamont MSP formally lodged the Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions) (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament this week.

Why is this Bill needed?

This Bill, developed with support from Camphill Scotland and Inclusion Scotland, will ensure every disabled child with an impairment or long-term health condition has a right to a transition plan.

The Bill would also 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.

Johann Lamont MSP said:

As a former teacher, I know only too well about the challenges faced by young people with a disability in moving on into further and higher education or finding work or training.

Since 2008 the percentage of Scottish disabled people in employment has fallen. We need to do much more to assist young disabled people during this important and challenging time in their lives; my Bill aims to help address the problems they face and provide the additional support that they so desperately need.

Support for the Bill

Camphill Scotland is calling on MSPs of all parties to support the Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions) (Scotland) Bill. Welcoming the introduction of the Bill, Dr Neil Henery, Director of Camphill Scotland, said:

For years disabled young people have been gravely and unnecessarily disadvantaged at the crucial transition stage to adulthood.

This Bill draws on robust research evidence and the compelling testimony of young disabled people themselves. It proposes clear and workable measures that will make a real and lasting difference to individual disabled young people, their families and wider society.

Kate Monahan, a parent whose son attends Camphill School Aberdeen, commented:

Our family’s lived-experience of transition for our disabled son was prolonged, traumatic and inaccessible.

The process appeared to have no proper framework, governance or safeguards. This added enormous extra distress to our already stressful lives at a moment of severe crisis. We support the Bill for the sake of others who come after.

Bill Scott, Senior Policy Adviser at Inclusion Scotland, added:

The measures outlined in this Bill are needed now more than ever in order to avoid the long term scarring of young disabled people’s lives.

Young disabled people are not asking for much. Just a little help in taking their first steps in adult life.

How you can support the Bill

We would welcome your support in the following ways, by 17 July.

1. Organisations can show their support by sending us their logo
2. Individuals can write to their MSP asking them to add their name to the list of MSPs supporting the Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions) (Scotland) Bill
3. Please let us know if you contact your MSP

Further information

• Read the final proposal along with a summary of responses 
• Contact our Policy & Engagement Manager for more information by email or mobile:  07825-149005