Families asked for views on 'transitions to adulthood' policy
FAMILIES in Moray are being asked their thoughts on a new policy to support their children’s future.
Moray Council and Health & Social Care Moray’s ‘Transitions to Adulthood’ policy has been redesigned to enable better planning for all young people in the area to prepare for adult life. This will look different for each young person, taking into account factors like housing, education, employment, and support needs.
The policy recognises that every young person’s needs, circumstances and aspirations will all differ and change, and the planning to support this needs to be flexible. Planning should begin for each young person at least three years before they leave secondary school, and can continue for some up to the age of 26.
Moray Council and Health & Social Care Moray have worked in partnership with Friendly Access, a charity focussed on creating and improving accessibility, to create this policy after the charity launched a survey last year in which families identified improvements which could be made to the transition process. Friendly Access will help to deliver the training to ensure the policy is embedded in council practice.
Now the revised policy has been drafted, views are being sought on it, before it is implemented across the area to support Moray’s young people. The survey is being issued by schools this week, but is available now, and views should be submitted by 18 January.
Chair of Moray Council’s Children & Young People’s Services committee, Cllr Sonya Warren, said the policy is aimed at all young people in Moray, so it’s important families have their say.
“We’re confident this policy will help us meet the needs and expectations of children and families in Moray however we welcome views and feedback which will be discussed by councillors at a committee meeting early next month.
“We’re grateful for the support of Friendly Access, whose input has been invaluable in transforming the policy to one which deliver tailored plans for every young person in Moray, putting them at the centre of decision-making for their future.”
Chief Executive of Friendly Access, Glyn Morris, said: “"As part of helping to ensure vulnerable young people receive the right support at the right time during their transition to adulthood, we are delighted Friendly Access is playing a significant role, working in partnership with Moray Council and Health & Social Care Moray to produce a draft Transitions to Adulthood policy.
“We are keen to gather thoughts on part, or all, of this draft transitions policy before consultation ends on the 18 January."