for Scotland's Disabled Children - The Way Forward |
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For Scotland's Disabled Children Interim Coordination Group Recommendation Paper on the future of fSDC.
As a member of fSDC, we would like to take your view on the Coordination Group's recommended way forward.
Context
FSDC is at a pivotal moment in its 5 year history. fSDC is a recognisable ‘brand’ in the policy & government communities, and there is a widespread belief that it operates effectively as an organisation in its own right. It is perceived as a valuable point of contact for Government and other organisations to engage with and generate the opinions and voices of families of disabled children.
However, the reality is that since March 2012 fSDC has existed mainly in name only, and activities have been coordinated by a small number of organisations and individuals. Since March 2012, fSDC has had no financial resource beyond that which is donated by individuals and a small number of member organisations who have continued to meet to maintain the momentum. Therefore, since March 2012, fSDC has been operating in a high risk environment for all members, both at organisational and individual level, and both in terms of reputation and influence. There is a real danger that whilst fSDC continues to discuss its potential role in the future, it will miss the opportunities to influence landmark policies and strategies, and therefore fail in its stated duty to transform good intentions to better lives.
In brief, the Interim Co-ordination group has considered 4 options for the future purpose of fSDC, and has considered the practicalities of each option to lead us to the recommendation.
Option 1
FSDC continues as a forum for parents of disabled children to access information about services, and to engage with decision makers directly to influence policy.
FSDC has no money and no staff. As of September 2012, Children in Scotland have been awarded funding by the Scottish Government to develop a Parent Participation Project, with the specified aim of promoting awareness and engagement of parents of children with disabilities in decisions which affect them. Membership organisations representing parents of children with disabilities are variously working to promote meaningful engagement and participation. FSDC would therefore be duplicating effort on no resources to attempt to engage meaningfully with parents throughout Scotland.
Option 2
FSDC continues as a forum for young people with disabilities to access information about services and policy which affects them, and which gives decision makers an opportunity to engage with them directly.
FSDC has no money and no staff. Facilitating activities with young people is a very specialist field, requiring considerable resource to do well, and responsibly. Member organisations have well developed networks of young people with disabilities, and some are very skilled at facilitating their wider engagement.
Option 3
FSDC continues as a network of organisations working with, and on behalf of, children with disabilities and their families to share information and build consensus opinion and influencing activity around relevant developments in policy and legislation.
This option requires no money and limited resource beyond commitment from member organisations to meet and share information. There will also be requirements for members to organise themselves around policy activity and work together to achieve change. FSDC will aim to work closely with the Parent Participation Project, through an agreed Memorandum of Agreement, to facilitate meaningful parental involvement. FSDC will also seek to build on other partnerships and collaborations already forged.
Option 4
FSDC formally disbands.
No appetite for this. However, fSDC should only continue if it is a worthwhile and valuable exercise for all involved.
Recommendation
The Co-ordination Group recommends that Option 3 is the way forward for fSDC.
As a member of fSDC, we would like to take your view on the Coordination Group's recommended way forward.
Context
FSDC is at a pivotal moment in its 5 year history. fSDC is a recognisable ‘brand’ in the policy & government communities, and there is a widespread belief that it operates effectively as an organisation in its own right. It is perceived as a valuable point of contact for Government and other organisations to engage with and generate the opinions and voices of families of disabled children.
However, the reality is that since March 2012 fSDC has existed mainly in name only, and activities have been coordinated by a small number of organisations and individuals. Since March 2012, fSDC has had no financial resource beyond that which is donated by individuals and a small number of member organisations who have continued to meet to maintain the momentum. Therefore, since March 2012, fSDC has been operating in a high risk environment for all members, both at organisational and individual level, and both in terms of reputation and influence. There is a real danger that whilst fSDC continues to discuss its potential role in the future, it will miss the opportunities to influence landmark policies and strategies, and therefore fail in its stated duty to transform good intentions to better lives.
In brief, the Interim Co-ordination group has considered 4 options for the future purpose of fSDC, and has considered the practicalities of each option to lead us to the recommendation.
Option 1
FSDC continues as a forum for parents of disabled children to access information about services, and to engage with decision makers directly to influence policy.
FSDC has no money and no staff. As of September 2012, Children in Scotland have been awarded funding by the Scottish Government to develop a Parent Participation Project, with the specified aim of promoting awareness and engagement of parents of children with disabilities in decisions which affect them. Membership organisations representing parents of children with disabilities are variously working to promote meaningful engagement and participation. FSDC would therefore be duplicating effort on no resources to attempt to engage meaningfully with parents throughout Scotland.
Option 2
FSDC continues as a forum for young people with disabilities to access information about services and policy which affects them, and which gives decision makers an opportunity to engage with them directly.
FSDC has no money and no staff. Facilitating activities with young people is a very specialist field, requiring considerable resource to do well, and responsibly. Member organisations have well developed networks of young people with disabilities, and some are very skilled at facilitating their wider engagement.
Option 3
FSDC continues as a network of organisations working with, and on behalf of, children with disabilities and their families to share information and build consensus opinion and influencing activity around relevant developments in policy and legislation.
This option requires no money and limited resource beyond commitment from member organisations to meet and share information. There will also be requirements for members to organise themselves around policy activity and work together to achieve change. FSDC will aim to work closely with the Parent Participation Project, through an agreed Memorandum of Agreement, to facilitate meaningful parental involvement. FSDC will also seek to build on other partnerships and collaborations already forged.
Option 4
FSDC formally disbands.
No appetite for this. However, fSDC should only continue if it is a worthwhile and valuable exercise for all involved.
Recommendation
The Co-ordination Group recommends that Option 3 is the way forward for fSDC.