Discussion paper to Disability Working Group, Core Group Meeting, 28 November 2005
ENGAGING DISABLED PEOPLE IN SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE POLICYMAKING
1. Introduction and background
Part of the remit for the Disability Working Group is "to develop proposals on longer term mechanisms for engagement with the disability sector".
In keeping with the Scottish Executive's (SE's) Equality Strategy, the Equality Unit has taken action to enable the establishment of mechanisms to promote participation in SE policymaking. Different equality groups have taken different approaches to this, which may provide some ideas on possible models (see annex 1), although it should be borne in mind that sectors may be differently structured and communication issues may be different, so what works in one case may not be the best option for others. The establishment of mechanisms for consultation and engagement, between disabled people and the Executive, local authorities, young people and employers, was identified by the European Year of Disabled People Steering Group as a future priority (see EYDP report and 'Big Picture' paper to Awayday).
2. Westminster's proposed 'UK National Forum'
Since then, a proposal to establish a UK National Forum for Organisations of Disabled People has come from the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit report on 'Improving the Lifechances of Disabled People'. This is to be a body through which disabled people can participate at an early stage in the design of reserved policies and services.
We don't yet know what form the UK National Forum will take or how it will operate. We seem unlikely to know much before next autumn.
3. Finding a way forward
The core group agreed on 15 September that work should happen now to identify what sort of mechanisms are needed to feed into the SE and then, at a later stage, see how or if those mechanisms might connect with the UK National Forum when it emerges.
Satellite groups were asked to consider the matter and concluded that rather than the DWG drafting up a proposal itself it might want to make recommendations for further consideration.
Given the work load for the core group on 28 November, we do not consider that there is scope at that meeting to also consider in detail options for developing to proposals on longer term mechanisms for engagement with the disability sector. We propose therefore that the Disability Working Group meets again early in the new year specifically to look at this issue.
Annex 1
Women
The Scottish Women's Convention was established by the Scottish Executive in late 2003. The Convention provides opportunities for women to engage in focused debate about specific issues of concern and to influence policy decisions in Scotland. It is a new initiative which aims to reflect the diversity of women in Scotland and to ensure that their voices get heard in the policy making process. It is funded by the Scottish Executive Equality Unit. Further information is available at: www.scottishwomensconvention.org
Minority ethnic communities
BEMIS is a national umbrella organisation for the minority ethnic voluntary sector in Scotland. BEMIS has a critical role in supporting the development of minority ethnic voluntary organisations and community groups and is one of the Executive's key partners in developing its relationship with the minority ethnic sector.
- BEMIS Working Group was established in 1997 to address the gap that exists in support for the minority ethnic voluntary sector in Scotland.
- BEMIS is now established as a national umbrella organisation for the minority ethnic voluntary sector.
- BEMIS is funded by the Scottish Executive.
Sexual Orientation
One of the key aims of the Equality Network is to help enable LGBT people and groups to have a say in setting the agenda for LGBT equality in Scotland. This includes working with the Scottish Executive, Parliament and other bodies to change laws and policies.
Their work facilitating consultation and dialogue between the Scottish Executive and LGBT communities forms the core of the Your Scotland project, which is funded by the Scottish Executive Equality Unit. Further information at www.equality-network.org
Older people
The Older People's Consultative Forum involving the main older people's organisations, and chaired by the Minister for Communities provides a sounding board for policy thinking in areas affecting older people and acts as a forum for discussion and resolution of concerns.
The forum is:
- a means of communication between the Executive and older people;
- a sounding board for policy which affects older people;
- a source of advice for the Executive on identifying and responding to older people's needs and aspirations;
- a means of providing feedback to the Executive on the impact of policies.
It complements and improves the Executive's existing methods of consulting and working with older people - it does not replace them.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/about/HD/OPU/00015079/partner.aspx