Time to Talk Next Steps Scotland pilot

Time to Talk Next Steps Scotland was a 12-month pilot programme ( from 2022 to 2023) which trialed online support for young people aged 16-25 with additional needs in Scotland.

The programme included:

• Hearing people's voice.
• Building confidence and supporting transitions.
• Telephone support to parents/carers/family members of the young people involved.

We delivered the programme in partnership with Children in Scotland and Contact, and it was funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. The programme built upon nationally identified needs and learning from a similar project in England, Time to Talk Next Steps.

The pilot reached 33 young people with a range of additional support needs, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, and mental health difficulties. Support was requested by parents/carers/family members, professionals/practitioners, and young people themselves.

Key outcomes for young people included:

• Feeling heard and valued
• Feeling more socially connected
• Increased confidence and emotional resilience
• Developing options, plans, and aspirations for the future
• Accessing relevant resources, contacts, and information to support their transition

Key Outcomes for parents/carers/family members included:

• Feeling heard, understood, and valued
• Feeling more socially connected
• Having confidence and knowledge of the transition planning process
• Feeling better equipped to support their young person’s plans and aspirations

Evaluation of the pilot was coproduced with young people and families.

• NDTi research and evaluation team’s full report, with findings from the evaluation.
• Summary report.
• Easy access report for those who don't want to read lots and would rather see more images.

In June 2023 we organised a webinar to share findings from the evaluation.

• Read the slides for the webinar presentation.
• Watch a recording of the webinar.

Evaluation highlighted the complexity of the transitions landscape in Scotland and the need for creative and flexible means of engaging young people as well as for a whole family approach.

Key to success was the role of named supporters for young people, enabling them to have good conversations about their interests and aspirations and guiding families through the transition process. The report recommends future transition support should be flexible in format (online and in-person) and sit alongside statutory services.