7 evidence-based principles based on the law and what research tells us works best to support young people.
Families and carers need support
The Principle
Why this Principle matters
Parents and carers are usually central to the continuing care of young people with additional support needs and are the people most likely to provide guidance and support during transitions.
Many parents and carers feel they have to fight for support and can experience burnout as they deal with the many new challenges associated with transitions.
What this Principle can look like
- Parents and carers know what rights they have and how to exercise them.
- Parents and carers are satisfied with the support they receive, and are able to balance their own needs with their other responsibilities.
- Young people, parents and carers know how to access advocacy services if they wish to.
Support for families and carers means:
Young people’s relationships with their family can be complex, particularly where parents or carers have an on-going role in providing personal assistance and where disability related allowances or benefits are an important contribution to the household income. The needs and roles of family members and carers are also likely to change as the young person they care for grows up. Parents and carers are usually central to the continuing care of young people with additional support needs.
Parents have reported that, where they exist, peer support networks are highly valued. However networks developed while children are at school can be difficult to maintain after they leave. The ability of parents and carers to maintain or establish peer support should be considered in the development of support packages for young people. Good practice would ensure these support networks are maintained and fully supported.
Best practice suggests advocacy should be available to all young people, parents and carers involved in the transitions process, particularly if they have concerns about having their voices heard. It should not only be available when hard decisions have to be made.
The offer of advocacy should be made at the start of transition, age 14, and be available at least to age 25. This is especially relevant for those who are looked after, care-experienced, and those being considered for a Guardianship Order.
Building this Principle into your strategies
Principles into Practice is designed to help those with strategic responsibility for transitions to improve the experiences of transition for young people with additional support needs , and is widely adopted by local authorities in Scotland.
It provides practical guidance to help ensure the needs of families are also supported in the local area. Data collected through Compass will help to evaluate progress and identify where further improvements are needed.
With a data sharing agreement in place, ARC Scotland can provide data reports from people using Compass in your area. These includes to what extent:
- Young people are able to access advocacy if they need it.
- Parents and carers understand and can exercise their rights.
- Parents and carers are satisfied with the support available.
- Professionals know how to work effectively with advocates.
Contact us to discuss the support available to help you build this Principle into your strategies.
