Young people with severe learning disabilities who display behaviours that challenge need lifelong care and support. It is important to avoid sharp cliff edges at the point at which a young person turns 18 or leaves school at 19 years old and stops receiving some of the services that they previously received. Find out more below about how to support positive transitions with the person and their family at the centre of decision making.
Planning for adulthood information pack
Information packs for families planning their relative’s transition to adult services. The packs are available for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The pack provides the tools families require as they start to plan for future support and opportunities for their relatives, including education, housing, employment and community involvement.
Podcast: Challenge Accepted
Join Challenge Accepted’ s third series as we take a look at the transition from children’s services to adult services for young people with severe learning disabilities who may display behaviours described as challenging.
Episode 1. Getting to where you want to be – we hear from family carers who’ve been through transition. Where are their relatives now? How did they decide what was best for them? Words of wisdom, witty observations and a whole lot of understanding from those who get it….
Episode 2. So, it IS possible… – our family carers talk about how they secured a home for their relative and what they want you to know if you are on a similar journey. What’s the HOLD scheme? How do you insist on the things you know are important, the non-negotiables? Whether you’re overwhelmed by choices or feel constrained by limited options listen in for real life, real people and real understanding.
Episode 3. Hang on, I didn’t know about that! – real families discuss the importance of connecting with others locally and nationally. With some top tips on how to prepare your young person, their siblings and yourself for some potentially huge changes and how to bond with the people who may be caring for your teenager on a day to day basis if they are moving away from home for the first time.
What Matters to Me
In our What Matters to Me Project, we have been finding out what is important to and for young people with severe or profound and multiple learning disabilities as they transition into adulthood. Based on insights gained through observations and interacting with young people, speaking to families and individuals who know them well, we have created a short film highlighting what matters to young people at transition.
Alongside the film, we’ve also produced a detailed Transition Report, titled ‘Influencing what matters: Transition to Adulthood Findings’, which shares key findings and recommendations.
Find out more about the What Matters to Me Project
CB-NSG Transition Subgroup
The Challenging Behaviour – National Strategy Group (CB-NSG) has formed a transition subgroup to work collaboratively and drive strategic change. The group has identified issues faced by young people with learning disabilities in transitioning from children to adult services, and co-produced the actions that are needed to ensure young people and their families experience a positive transition. These are set out in a co-produced action plan, highlighting the changes needed to start planning earlier and take a co-ordinated approach.