Facing the Future Together

This report describes the findings from two national surveys that set out to hear the voices of young people with additional support needs and those of their parents and carers about their experiences of leaving school and moving into adulthood. Each survey explored:

  • The nature of the support received by young people and their parents and carers in the lead up to leaving school
  • The experience of the transition itself
  • Life in the post-school period
  • How transitions support for young people and their parents and carers could be improved

A total of 740 responses were received across the two surveys, 270 from young people, and 470 from parents and carers. Responses were received from people who live in all 32 Scottish local authority areas.

Everyone’s experience of transition will be different. This report seeks to represent that diversity by quoting directly from young people and their parents and carers. We believe that the responses we received speak for themselves and we have not sought to comment on them. However we do provide some broad conclusions.

This study supports and highlights the importance of the continuing implementation of the Principles of Good Transitions 3 and is broadly consistent with the findings of other research in this area.

Download the ‘Facing the Future Together’ Report