1. A NATIONAL PLAN CO-PRODUCED BY FAMILIES
Introduce a national, cross-departmental plan for transition co-produced by young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities and their families .
On 30th March 2026, family carers and young people, supported by the CBF and the children’s charity Kids, went to 10 Downing Street. The group delivered an open letter to the Prime Minister asking to improve the experiences of transition from children’s to adult services.
Moving from children’s to adults’ services should be an exciting time for young people with a learning disability as they plan for their future, but in reality, it is often described as a “cliff edge” due to a lack of coordination resulting in a complex, confusing and disjointed process for families to navigate. The current system is broken and leaves many families unsupported and isolated during their relative’s transition from children’s to adults’ services.
We have called on the Department for Education, Department of Health and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to:
- Introduce a national, cross-departmental plan for transition co-produced by young people with SEND and their families
- Introduce a named Transition Coordinator to facilitate a person-centred and ambitious approach to transition
Focusing on what is possible, not just what is available e.g. bespoke packages of care and support
- Amend the Care Act 2014 to introduce a statutory age to begin transition planning
Changes to the law to introduce a statutory age, age 14, for transition planning to begin, working collaboratively with other services across health, education, housing etc
We firmly believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live and thrive in an environment that is the best for them and to live near to those they love. It is this belief that has motivated the open letter.
The 3 asks in the open letter were designed in partnership with family carers and the guidance of our Transition Subgroup. The letter was signed by over 335 family carers, individuals with lived experience of disability, professionals, and organisations collectively.
We are following up with key ministers and officials in the Department for Education, Department of Health and the Ministry of Housing.
We will update this webpage with any replies we hear from the government. Please contact nationalstrategygroup@thecbf.org.uk. if you are interested in finding out more about our policy work on transition.
Support from the CBF
Family Support Service
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in the open letter, you can call the Family Support Service on 0300 666 0126 or email us at support@thecbf.org.uk
We are open at the following times: Monday – Thursday: 9am – 5pm | Friday: 9am – 3pm
We offer information about challenging behaviour to anyone who provides support to a child, young person or adult with a severe learning disability. We can also signpost you to other specialist organisations and sources of information.
Please note we are a small support service so you may not be able to get support straight away. We will support families with urgent concerns as a priority.
Professionals are also welcome to contact the CBF.
