The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi), has released an interim report on a new programme in Scotland.
The report titled ’Learning so far: Time to Talk Next Steps Scotland 2025/2026,’ reveals significant early progress achieved within the first six months of its unique rights-based support programme Time to Talk Next Steps, a one year programme funded by the Scottish Government.
The programme, running from 2025–26, offers tailored one-to-one support to young people aged 14+ with additional support needs, helping them prepare for adulthood with increased confidence, connection, and control. The report draws on emerging evaluation data from young people, families, practitioners, and delivery staff, providing credible early insight into the programme’s reach, engagement, and impact.
Strong early reach and impact
By October 2025, the programme had reached 82 young people aged 14–25, all of whom received focused one-to-one support. Early findings show:
- Significant improvements in young people’s confidence, self-belief, and ability to plan for their futures.
- Strengthened involvement of families, who report feeling informed, supported, and clearer about the next steps.
- Positive feedback from professionals who note better engagement and more effective transition conversations.
The transition support model progresses Priorities 1, 2, and 3 of the National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy for Disabled Young People Strategy. The relational, person-centred model is proving more effective than large-scale, impersonal interventions, particularly in building the trust and optimism that young people need to move forward.
Helping young people see their own worth
Programme Manager Alice McColl highlights the transformative nature of the work:
“Many of the young people we support start out feeling they have no worth, no skills, and are fearful of the future—often believing they will never become independent adults who can contribute to society. Parent/carers also experience stress and worry, so making sure they are supported and included is really important.”
She adds:
“Our team of skilled supporters provides sensitive, tailored support to help young people identify their strengths and build hope. Our aim is to empower them to realise life opportunities, including education and employment. Next steps depend completely on the individual. Our priority is that they develop a sense of their own worth without that, transitions won’t be successful.”
“Young people don’t need any special label or diagnosis to get help. Many have felt different, struggled in education, or never had their needs recognised. We ensure their rights are considered when decisions are being made and that they are fully involved in decisions that affect them.”
Scottish Minister for Children, Young People, and The Promise, Natalie Don-Innes said:
“It is heartwarming to hear the transformative impact the NDTi Time to Talk Next Steps project has had on the young disabled people it supported over the past year.
“At the heart of our National Transitions to Adulthood strategy is the right for young people to feel empowered and supported to control their own paths to success, which the Time to Talk Next Steps initiative embodies.”
A young person who received support commented:
“Things were really difficult when I left school. I didn’t know what to do. I felt lost and like other people were getting on and I was stuck. Support from NDTi helped me talk through ideas and find a way forward. This support should be available to more people”
Families at the heart
The inclusive approach extends to parent/carers, who often experience high levels of stress, isolation, and worry. The interim report shows that supporting families with clear information and guidance strengthens young people’s progress and reinforces confidence at home.
Recommendations: Protecting progress and enabling long-term change
The interim report calls for several key actions to build on the programme’s early success:
- Long-term funding to protect relational continuity identified as essential for trust and sustained progress.
- Investment in workforce development, recognising the emotional intensity and skill required for this personalised support.
- Stronger transition pathways, linking young people’s growing confidence and planning skills to real opportunities in education and employment.
- Expansion of personalised planning, ensuring rights-based, individualised support becomes standard practice across Scotland.
