Transition for people with a learning disability

The transition to adulthood can be difficult for many young people, particularly those with a learning disability. Difficulties are caused by the lack of co-ordination between different agencies and the lack of effective links between children's and adult social services.

Connexions, the public financed national transition advice service which is open to all 13-19 year olds, will work with an individual with a learning disability up to the age of 25. It is the right of all young people with a learning disability to have a planning meeting at 14, and to draw up transition plans. This does not always happen.

We are aware that families want information and support to help them with their child’s transition to adulthood. It can be a daunting prospect to coordinate all the input and advice from all the professionals involved. This is where Choice Support’s Brokerage service is able to help.

Our brokerage service aims to provide a range of support, advice for young adults and their parents, so that the transition to adulthood is a smooth one.

The need to plan ahead

Choice Support’s Brokerage service offers help and support to young adults and their family to express their views and opinions and be allowed to make informed choices that are respected by all parties involved in the transition process. We are able to provide accessible information on the options available. We think it is important that parents are treated as partners throughout the process and that young people themselves are involved in making decisions and making choices.

There are various options available to individuals and their families as they choose to move out of the family home: -

Supported living

Supported Living is about people having tenancies, which is separate from their support. People have real security and cannot be moved against their will. Supported Living is available to anyone.

Shared ownership

Shared ownership means that an individual, couple or friends can buy a share of the property and rent the remaining share. It can be a very good way of helping people to choose where they live and buy their own home. The person buys a share of the property, usually 50% this can be done by taking out a ‘shared owner’s mortgage’ up to a value of £100,000.

Direct payments

Direct Payments are cash payments made to individuals or their family so they can buy their support directly from an appropriate provider agency.

The aim of a direct payment is to put the person who is supported, or given services, in control of deciding what support or services they get. It allows people to use the money in a way that best suits their own needs and situation.

The Department of Health have published a guide for parents and this can be found on their website.

Individual budgets

Individual budgets are the natural progression to direct payments. However, currently they are not as widely available as direct payments They are similar to direct payments,  putting the individual at the centre of the planning process.

Further information on Individual Budgets can be found here.

It is the aim of the government that by 2011 all local authorities across the country will be offering individual budgets to everyone who is eligible for support.

For further information contact:

David Helm in the North. 

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Sian Hoolahan in the South:

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