Discussion paper to Disability Working Group, Core Group Meeting, 15 September 2005
ENGAGING DISABLED PEOPLE IN SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE POLICYMAKING
Sally Witcher, September 2005
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 policies and services.
This proposal comes from the Westminster Government and is concerned with how disabled people across the UK contribute to Westminster Government policy. A series of consultation events is underway so that the Department for Work and Pensions can get views of disabled people about this (there is also a leaflet that people can complete - see http://www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople/DisabledPeopleArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=10021425&chk=/V6ESC ). They are also proposing to set up an advisory group to 'offer strategic, confidential advice to Ministers and officials across government on the creation, composition, role, remit and reporting mechanisms of the new Forum (recruitment to the Advisory Group is currently underway - see press adverts w/c 5 September). The advisory group is expected to be in place for 6 months.
This means 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 Summer (at a rough guess). However, there may be implications to consider regarding mechanisms to enable disabled people in Scotland to contribute to Scottish Executive policy.
3. Finding a way forward
The options seem to be that either:
1. Scottish disability organisations can wait to see what comes out of the advisory group's deliberations and then decide what they think about it OR
2. Work could happen now to identify what sort of mechanisms are needed to feed into the SE and then, at a later stage, see how/ if those mechanisms might connect with the UK National Forum when it emerges .
The second would be more 'proactive' and should mean that unnecessary duplication can be avoided, but necessary distinctiveness can be taken forward.
If we go for the second option, there are various ways we might take this forward and various things to consider.
1. What should the process be for taking this forward? For example, should the DWG draft up a proposal/ options? Should there be discussion with disability organisations more widely? How? When? Given the timescale for the DWG it may want to make recommendations for further consideration rather than drafting proposals itself.
2. What issues need to be addressed? For example:
a) What should the remit be of a mechanism/ structure to feed into SE policymaking? It might:
- Provide a vehicle for SE communications, disseminate information about SE consultations and act as a conduit for channeling views back to the SE
- Where areas of agreement about policy lines or priorities are identified, convey these to the Scottish Executive
- Feed into local authority level policymaking too
- Strengthen the 'disability sector' by improving communications between disability organisations so they can share information about activities, exchange good practice, identify opportunities for partnership
b) Terms of Reference
- Title - what should it be called?
- Structure - e.g. around policy areas, particular issues, geographical areas, etc
- Accountability
- Communications - e.g. meetings (frequency? location?), other
c) What values or principles should it have about how it works? For example these might include:
- Ensuring diversity in terms of impairment group, ethnicity, geographical location, etc
- Operate inclusively, transparently, collaboratively
- An equal voice for all members
- Respect for different views, expertise
d) What does this mean for the way it is structured?
4. What happens next?
Whether or not it is decided that we should wait until the National Forum advisory group reports, we still might want to think through what should happen at that time
If it is decided that the DWG needs to progress work now on mechanisms to feed into SE policy, the issues above (and any others identified by the core group) could be considered by satellite group 3, considering its remit on communication. But it could be regarded as relevant to all satellite groups. They could all discuss this at their next meeting and then report views to the core group meeting on 9 November. Or are there other suggestions?
Summary of what the core group needs to decide:
1. Should we wait to see what comes out of the UK National Forum advisory group or start now to consider a mechanism to feed into SE policymaking? Are there any other options?
2. Either way, what should happen when the advisory group reports and we know how the National Forum will operate?
3. If we get on with it now,
- What should the process be?
- What issues need to be addressed
- What should happen next?
- Can this be done by the DWG within its current timescale
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 the national umbrella organisation for the minority ethnic voluntary sector in Scotland. BEMIS has a critical role in supporting the development of black and 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 the national umbrella organisation for the minority ethnic voluntary sector.
- BEMIS is funded by the Voluntary Issues Unit of 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