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Seòmar agus comataidhean

Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 23 November 2024
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Displaying 565 contributions

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Education, Children and Young People Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 8 February 2023

Graeme Dey

My final question is about the preparedness of students to come to universities and colleges—I suspect that, in this instance, I am thinking, in particular, of colleges—and the extent to which careers information, advice and guidance prepares them for that and encourages them to look at courses that not only suit them but meet their ambitions.

I was struck by something that a college principal told me. The college in question runs land-based courses involving animal husbandry. It developed an attritional drop-out rate from those courses. It had a large number of students with mental health issues who had been encouraged or directed to take those land-based courses on the basis that it would be good for them to work with animals. Some students got to the college and found that those courses were not suitable for them as individuals. I will not suggest that that is commonplace, but is that something that colleges have to contend with?

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 1 February 2023

Graeme Dey

Thank you. That is useful.

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 1 February 2023

Graeme Dey

Essentially, you are saying that the money should follow the patient.

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 1 February 2023

Graeme Dey

Thank you. That was a really useful answer.

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 1 February 2023

Graeme Dey

This is perhaps an unfair question, but I am going to ask it anyway. Do you think that professionals are always entirely receptive to suggestions about best practice elsewhere? By implication, it criticises what they are doing.

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 1 February 2023

Graeme Dey

Thank you. That leads me on to my second question. Everyone who has been involved in the discussions is looking for improved outcomes. That is what we are about. The issue is not about processes and legislation; it is about improved outcomes.

One criticism that, rightly or wrongly, has been levelled at the bill is that part of it replicates existing duties. Do you accept that criticism? Does it cause you concern that we are creating more legislation rather than sharpening up existing legislation or using the bill to do that, so that we get to where we want to get to and improve the opportunities for the young people in question?

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 1 February 2023

Graeme Dey

I am not trying to put words into your mouth, but, for the bill to work, it would have to be accompanied by resources, and however it ended up, it would have to convince the workforce that it was going to make a tangible difference.

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 1 February 2023

Graeme Dey

Thank you all for your answers. Moving on slightly, if we had a national transitions strategy that was based on the best practice that we have seen—we know that there are some parts of the country where things work well—would that lead to a more consistent approach and far better outcomes?

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 1 February 2023

Graeme Dey

It is me again—apologies. Would a national transitions strategy—provided that it was based on best practice and on what you know works well—support more consistent approaches across the country and therefore better outcomes? If so, how could that be made to work in practice?

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 1 February 2023

Graeme Dey

I am sorry—we will start with Dr Stark.