Camphill Scotland

The membership body for Camphill communities in Scotland

Help us to stop a major delay to Transitions Bill

Type: Call to action
Topic: Disability rights | Policy and legislation | Transitions

The Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the last Scottish Parliament to ensure that all disabled children and young people are able to access the support they require during the transition to adulthood.

We have previously written about the devastating impact a poor transition has on those involved, and this Bill aims to ensure that more disabled children and young people and their families are spared this unnecessary and damaging trauma.

Bill at risk of lengthy delay

A public consultation was held over 3 months in 2020/21 on the Bill and it received an impressive 91 responses.  The Scottish Parliament Committee responsible for considering the Bill then undertook another consultation for its Stage 1 evidence gathering which received further evidence from 77 organisations and individuals.

Unfortunately there was insufficient time available for the previous Scottish Parliament Committee to complete all of the Bill’s stages before the Scottish Parliament was dissolved ahead of elections earlier this year.

Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP agreed to re-introduce a very similar Bill in the new Parliament and it is due to be considered by the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee.  However, the Committee are proposing that another consultation on the Bill is held.  We do not believe that holding another consultation on the Bill is in the best interests of young people or their families.  Further public consultation is only likely to duplicate the findings of the previous consultation and evidence, both of which found overwhelming support for the Bill.

Ask the Committee to take action

Young disabled people, their parents and carers have been consulted with over and over again throughout the last 20 years. What they are looking for from this Parliament isn’t yet another consultation but action.

Another consultation will mean disabled children and young people facing further delays in accessing the opportunities that are vital if they are to fulfil their potential, and to make the most of their lives. The pandemic has underlined dramatically that the need for action to improve outcomes for disabled children and young people is now, and not later.

Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP is due to meet with the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on 2 November 2021 to discuss why she does not consider it reasonable or necessary to hold a further public consultation on the Bill.  Will you support her Statement of Reasons, and help to ensure that disabled children and young people get the support they so desperately need sooner rather than later?

A major delay to the introduction of the Bill could have a significant adverse impact upon disabled children and young people being able to access the support they require during their transition to adulthood. It is, therefore, vital that the Committee agrees on 2 November 2021 to Pam’s Statement of Reasons.

Help us to keep the Bill moving

Members of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee need to hear from the Bill’s supporters that they want action, not consultation, on the new Transitions Bill before they meet with Pam on 2 November 2021.

Will you help us to ensure the Committee members accept Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP’s Statement of Reasons against another consultation on 2nd November?

Please adapt this email and send it to the committee members before 2nd November:

Background

The re-introduced Transitions Bill would give a much needed right to a statutory Transitions Plan to every disabled child or young person. Support with transitions would then remain in place until no longer needed, or the young person’s 26th birthday. The Bill would also require the Scottish Government to introduce a statutory national transitions strategy to improve outcomes for disabled children and young people in their transition to adulthood, and require the Scottish Government to appoint a Minister with special responsibility for transitions.

The Scottish Parliament has appointed its Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee as the Lead Committee to consider Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP’s Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood)(Scotland) Bill.

Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP is progressing the Bill on behalf of Camphill Scotland and Inclusion Scotland.

Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP has submitted a Statement of Reasons to the Committee outlining why she believes another public consultation on the Bill is unnecessary.

The Committee will meet with Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP, along with representatives from Camphill Scotland and Inclusion Scotland, on 2 November 2021 to discuss her Statement of Reasons.

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