On 24 June 2014, Voluntary Health Scotland and the Scottish Transitions Forum jointly delivered the second seminar in the Unequal Lives, Unjust Deaths series of events, examining health inequalities across the life course and the voluntary sector contribution to reducing, preventing and reversing these.
This seminar specifically examined health inequalities and transition services. Today’s complex economic and social conditions have resulted in more unpredictable pathways to adulthood. Research suggests that strengthening protective factors such as resilience, through early intervention and working with individuals, their family, school and communities, and improved services at key times, can help people get through difficult transitions.
The seminar received presentations from the following speakers:
Ruth Jepson, Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy (SCPHRP) – Ruth spoke about the evidence base for tackling health inequalities in transition services, including the context around tackling health inequalities in transitions, critical transition points and the evidence for what works for reducing risk and strengthening young people’s resilience. View the presentation here – Ruth Jepson – Health inequalities and Transitions
Laura Meikle, Support and Wellbeing Unit, Scottish Government – Laura spoke about the current and emerging policy and legislation and its impact on transition pathways for young people. This particularly included the two main legislative catalysts supporting transitional planning:
- The Additional Support for Learning legislation that has specific provisions relating to transitions, the planning for which should take place no later than 12 months before the pupil’s expected leaving date.
- Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill – for all children to have a Named Person, and a Child’s Plan if they need one, will apply until the young person leaves school or reaches their 18th birthday, whichever is later.
Marion Henderson & Helen Sweeting, Medical Research Council Social and Public Health Sciences Unit (MRC SPHSU) – The effect of transitions on young people’s health and health-behaviours. Marion and Helen presented research they are currently working on at the MRC, including:
- School, post-school transitions and young people’s well-being
- The new SEED process: aiming to smooth transition from primary to secondary school
View the presentations here – Helen Sweeting & Marion Henderson – Health Inequalities and Transitions
Pamela Barnes, Includem – Pamela delivered an interactive presentation that took us through the lives of three young people and their experiences of transitions. She highlighted the importance of relationships and wellbeing and how these can impact on someone’s transition pathways and highlighted the intensive support delivered through Includem’s additional support project.
Read the full report from the event here – Health Inequalities and Transitions Event Report – 24 June 2014.
