The Association for Real Change Scotland is appealing for people with additional support needs and their carers to pinpoint where improvements are needed
An investigation into the availability of planning and support for young people with additional support needs in Scotland has been launched.
The Association for Real Change (ARC) Scotland has set up two online surveys giving supported young people and their parents and carers the opportunity to share their experiences.
Its findings will be used to map the availability of services and help the Scottish Government, local authorities and other organisations make decisions about how support can be improved for young people aged between 14 and 25 with additional support needs who are in transition to young adult life.
The survey follows extensive face to face consultations with young people, carers and professionals across Scotland
The charity, which facilitates the Scottish Transitions Forum – a national network with over 550 members that aims to improve the experience of people with additional support needs – has been commissioned to carry out the work by the Scottish Government.
James Fletcher, director of ARC Scotland, said: “This is an extremely relevant piece of work which will help to shape the planning and delivery of support for young people with additional needs and their carers at a critical time in their lives.
“This includes young people with learning and physical disabilities, autism, mental health problems, long-term health conditions, hearing and visual impairments.
“The survey follows extensive face to face consultations with young people, carers and professionals across Scotland and will help us to achieve a more complete picture about what is working well and where improvements are needed.
“I would encourage young people and carers who are eligible to take part in the survey.”
The survey will take between 10 and 30 minutes to complete and the deadline is 11 November 2016.
All responses are anonymous and nobody will be able to identify the person who filled out the survey.
Parents and carers of a young person with additional support needs between the ages of 14 and 25 can fill out the survey here: Parent and carers' survey.
Young people between 14 and 25 years old and have one or more additional need can fill out the survey here: Young People's survey.
The findings of the survey will be published in early 2017.
