Camphill young people and parents give evidence to Scottish Parliament

Camphill young people and parents have submitted evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee for its Stage 1 consideration of the Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood)(Scotland) Bill.

The Bill introduced by Johann Lamont MSP, with support from Camphill Scotland and Inclusion Scotland, is designed to improve outcomes for disabled children and young people in the transition to adulthood.

Young people explain why they support the Transitions Bill

A group of young people at Camphill School Aberdeen held a focus group to discuss how the Bill could improve these outcomes. They identified a number of challenges young people face during the transition to adulthood, including stress, trying to get a job that suits them, coping with how confusing it can be, finding a place to live, moving away from home, meeting new people and learning new things.

The young people expressed support for the Transitions Bill, and highlighted its advantages:

It will make sure that we learn how to budget, use the bus, cook, use the bank and take care of our home.

It would help us know what is happening and to make decisions ourselves.

We can move away from home.

It will help me be more in control of what is happening.

Read the focus group’s evidence

Concerns about poor transition plans highlighted by parents

A number of Camphill parents and supporters also submitted evidence to the Education and Skills Committee highlighting their concerns about the poor outcomes experienced by many disabled children and young people in the transition to adulthood, and welcoming the Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood)(Scotland) Bill.

Kate Monahan, welcoming the Bill on behalf of the Because We Matter families’ network, stated:

Within our family support and advocacy group, (Because We Matter) every single one of our families, without exception, have had to fight, in a stressful, prolonged and tenacious manner in order to secure education and care provision for our children and young people with Additional Support Needs. Many have had to undertake legal processes.

Read Kate Monahan’s evidence, and that of other Camphill parents and supporters