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Demanding change for young people with a learning disability, and their families, during their transition to adulthood

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 are calling on the Department for Education, Department of Health and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to:

  1. Introduce a national, cross-departmental plan for transition co-produced by young people with SEND and their families
  2. 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
  3. 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 

Watch our short videos below to find out more about why this plan is urgently needed

Lina, whose son Kaiden has a severe learning disability, describes their family’s experience of transition and explains what could’ve made their journey better. Jacqui Shurlock, CEO of The CBF and Katie Ghose, CEO of Kids share their views on the change that is needed to ensure transition planning starts early, and is coordinated for families like Lina’s. Watch our videos below to hear from Lina, Jacqui and Katie and learn more about our campaign to #EndTheCliffEdge.

2. A NAMED TRANSITION COORDINATOR

2. A NAMED TRANSITION COORDINATOR

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.

3. A STATUTORY AGE OF 14 FOR TRANSITION PLANNING

3. A STATUTORY AGE OF 14 FOR TRANSITION PLANNING

We are calling for 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.

The CBF is grateful that the grant funder Paul Hamlyn Foundation has recognised these issues and funded a sub group of the CB-NSG to take forward policy influencing work focused on transition and building on our co-produced action plan.

You can find out more about our work on transition here: Transition to Adulthood