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Policy Papers
DEVELOPING
A FORUM/ CONSULTATION MECHANISM SO DISABLED PEOPLE�S VIEWS AND EXPERIENCE CAN
INFORM SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE POLICYMAKING
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Forum
note: this paper was produced by an independent consultant to the Equality
Unit.� The Forum seeks your views on the approach set out below, and will
feed these into the EYDP steering group.
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Sally Witcher, 2 August 2002
Independent
Consultant to the Equality Unit
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1.���������������
BACKGROUND
The broad idea of establishing some form of �Disability Parliament�
or �Consortium� as a means of bringing together the Scottish disability
sector in order to inform policymaking by the Scottish executive and others was
initially suggested both by Inclusion Scotland and the Scottish Disability
Equality Forum during recent (separate) meetings with the Scottish Executive
Equality Unit.
Drawing on those discussions, a paper was brought to the first meeting
of the EYDP steering group on 11 June. It was felt that the EYDP steering group
might be an appropriate place to start as the group was comprised of a range of
organisations across the sector and the development of such a mechanism was in
keeping with EYDP themes and objectives.
At that meeting it was agreed that it would be a good idea to explore
establishing some form of Disability Consortium as part of the EYDP work
programme. A revised
paper subsequently came to the meeting on 11 July.�
This paper has been further revised in view of issues and concerns raised
on that occasion.�
The 11 July meeting agreed that, before progressing the idea further, it
was necessary for EYDP Steering Group members to discuss it within their
organisations and through their networks, to ensure that this was something that
disabled people wanted. That meeting also agreed that it would be appropriate to
refer to the proposed mechanism as a �Disability Forum�.
The establishment of effective consultation mechanisms between the SE
and the disability sector could have potential to bring benefits to all
concerned, helping to improve the quality of policy through opening up access to
better information about the barriers confronting disabled people and how they
might be overcome. The Equality Unit was keen to stress that it was not its
intention to seek to develop any consultation mechanism in a �top-down� way.
Instead it hoped to support a �bottom-up� approach � this being the only
way to develop effective mechanisms. Disabled people and their organisations
clearly know best, not just what they want to say but also what sort of
mechanism or structure would best enable their views to be expressed. This was
the approach taken to the development of consultation mechanisms with other
equality groups. The Equality Unit had supported them to develop consultation
mechanisms in way that the equality groups themselves had determined.
The Equality Unit was also keen to stress that the Forum would not
replace direct contact between individual organisations and the Executive.�
Organisations across the disability sector might wish to engage directly
with the Executive on particular issues and the Executive would remain open and
responsive to all approaches.
This paper is intended to provide a basis for organisations and their
networks to discuss:
1.��
If it is important for the
views of disabled people and their organisations to be fed into Scottish
Executive policymaking, what is the best way to do this?
2.��
What should be the objectives
for any form of consultation mechanism?
3.��
What would be the possible
dangers to avoid, eg
�������
that a �lead� organisation
might try to take over
�������
that it would diminish the
influence of individual organisations
�������
that it could become exclusive
�������
or just an administrative
exercise
4.��
What sort of structure might
best meet objectives while avoiding possible dangers?
5.��
How should this be taken
forward?
The paper begins by briefly looking at how a Forum/ consultation
mechanism could meet both disability sector and Scottish Executive interests. It
then sets out suggestions made so far about possible objectives for a
consultation mechanism, and perhaps other uses it could serve such as providing
a forum for exchange of good practice, strengthening the sector, etc. This also
includes objectives designed to guard against possible dangers.�
The paper then shows how the development of the Forum/ consultation
mechanism fits with EYDP and finally sketches out a possible way forward.
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2.�����
HOW A FORUM/ CONSULTATION MECHANISM COULD MEET DIFFERENT INTERESTS
There seem
to be potential advantages for all concerned.
a)�����
The disability sector
It is for the sector and those within it to define what their objectives
would be with regard to relations with the Scottish Executive. However, it is
clear that devolved policy areas have the potential significantly to affect the
welfare of disabled people. A structure which facilitates communications and
promotes understanding between the sector and the Scottish Executive should
therefore be useful from the perspective of all who work to promote the
interests of disabled people.
b)�����
The Scottish Executive - Equality Strategy
The
Equality strategy has three strategic objectives
1.���
making better policy and providing better services � this covers
mainstreaming, consultation and research measurement
2.���
promoting equal opportunities and tackling discrimination � covering
raising awareness & promoting best practice, communications (external and
internal), developing partnerships, representation in public appointments
3.���
being a good employer � targets for representation.
The proposal for a Disability Forum fits very well with most that
appears under both the first and the second objectives. Through providing a
structure for improving external communications and developing partnerships,
input to consultations should be increased across the sector. It should
facilitate identification of the full implications of legislation for disabled
people, and thus how legislation needs to be framed if their interests are to be
mainstreamed.
There is also a role for equality groups to proactively identify policy
issues and solutions,� This would
fit well with the first strategic objective and may be something a Disability
Forum could facilitate.
From the first year annual report on the implementation of the Equality
Strategy, it is clear that the various equality groups have taken different
approaches to setting up structures for communications within their sectors.
These may provide a source ideas and guidance on options.
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3.�����
POSSIBLE OBJECTIVES FOR A �DISABILITY FORUM�
The
paper to the meeting of 11 June set out some possible objectives for a
Disability Forum. These have been firmed up and amended in view of discussion.
Objectives
for work content:
The
overall objective would be to provide a framework for civil dialogue, ensuring
that disabled people, disability organisations and people with a disability
brief working in other organisations can have an input into Scottish Executive
policymaking. It might also provide a focus for input to policymaking at UK and
European levels.
The
Forum�s role or remit would be to bring together key players in the disability
sector in order to:
1.���
Promote the mainstreaming of
disability issues and interests
2.���
Provide a vehicle for Scottish
Executive communications with the sector
3.���
Disseminate information about
Scottish Executive consultations to their members/ constituents and act as a
conduit for channelling views back to the Scottish Executive
4.���
Provide a forum for allowing
all views to be heard
5.���
Where areas of agreement about
policy lines or priorities are identified, convey these to the Scottish
Executive
6.���
Share information about
activities and provide opportunities for learning from each other, eg through
the exchange of good practice
7.���
Identify opportunities for
partnership working and co-ordination in order to avoid duplication and make
best use of resources and different expertise
It
could have a reactive role in
responding to the Scottish Executive�s policy agenda.
It
could have a proactive role in
independently identifying priorities, and proposing policy changes
It
could have a co-ordinating role in
disseminating and exchanging information within the sector
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Objectives
for ways of working
1.���
The Forum should seek to
ensure representation across the sector. It would include members of the
Disability Agenda Group, and bring on board others to make it more
representative
2.���
Representatives of
organisations involved in the Forum would be disabled people wherever possible
and they should always be in the majority.
3.���
The Forum should operate in a
fair and equitable way, with no one dominating and all members as equal partners
4.���
The Forum should operate in an
inclusive, open and collaborative way
5.���
The Forum should avoid being
overly rigid and bureaucratic
6.���
The Forum should be
independent of the Scottish Executive, although may be supported by it in
different ways
7.���
The Forum should allow all
views to be aired and should not necessarily seek always to achieve consensus
8.���
While recognising that
arguments will be strengthened when diverse players can reach agreement, there
needs to be respect for different views, perspectives and expertise.
4.�����
RELATIONSHIP TO EYDP
The main theme for the EYDP is �Promoting rights and participation�,
with sub-themes of raising awareness, participation and advocacy/ mentoring. The
proposed forum clearly fits under �participation�, and may also play a role
in increasing awareness. As a forum for promoting the interests of disabled
people and for learning from each other, arguably it would also fit with
�advocacy and mentoring�.
In the paper to the meeting of 11 June, it was suggested that broad
objectives for Scottish EYDP might be:
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To
ensure that there are concrete positive outcomes achieved by the end of the Year
��������
To
ensure that work undertaken during the Year will continue to bring long-lasting
benefits to disabled people in Scotland.
The establishment of a Disability Forum would be consistent with both.
It
was agreed at the 11 June Steering Group meeting that the development of a
Disability Forum would be an objective for the EYDP. The EYDP Steering Group
could provide a starting point for that development. One possibility would be
for the Steering Group to evolve into the Forum. Certainly it is hoped that
organisations involved in the Steering Group would want to be part of the Forum.
The two might run in tandem, or EYDP work might be overseen by a sub-group of
the Forum. The latter would have the advantage of locating EYDP work in a wider
strategic context while retaining focus. The launch of the Forum could be the
focus for the launch of the EYDP, or the Forum might be launched towards the end
of the year to signal that the end of the Year does not mean the end of work on
disability. Before coming to decisions on this, a number of issues need to be
considered before January 2003.
5������
A POSSIBLE WAY FORWARD
1.���
Objectives for the Forum/
consultation mechanism need to be agreed and possible dangers identified,
following feedback from consultation
2.���
Models and structures (e.g,
Swedish, South African models and those adopted by other equality groups and the
Scottish Civic Forum) need to be investigated to see which would best facilitate
the achievement of those objectives and avoid possible dangers.
3.���
Objectives and structures need
to be set out in the form of terms of reference (like a constitution). These
could also cover:
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Title
- what should the Disability Forum be called?
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Membership
� who should be a member of it?
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Officers
� chair/ convenor to rotate, etc
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Structure
� it might want to set up working groups or sub-groups, around particular
issues or geographical areas
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Powers
and accountability
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Frequency
of meetings
4.���
Establish a budget and
confirmation of ongoing funding from the Scottish Executive
5.���
Identify appropriate (neutral)
secretariat?
6.���
Draw up work-plan for the
first year
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