Page 13 - Kidz to Adultz Issue 19

models of support and deciding what you want for your loved one is key
to securing a tailored transition that works best for the individual. From there, families should find out what services are available in their area – such as supported living, personal assistance, and residential care – and visit the different providers. This
will help the young person and their family make an informed decision about their future home.
Because many schools and colleges are owned by organisations that also run large adult care homes, it is also vitally important for families to recognise if they are being pushed into a “pipeline” of adult social care provision that may not be in their loved one’s best interests.
If a young person is likely to need support from adult social care services, their LA should carry out an eligibility assessment before they turn 18. Families can approach their local adult social care teams directly once their loved one turns 16, and they can use this Thinking Ahead Guide to describe the individual’s needs in a fully person-centred way.
It is important to be aware that
if an individual has eligible care
and support needs, their LA has a duty to meet them. They may have different names for their social work teams, but there cannot be a gap in provision.
Sometimes, provision of support may differ from what the individual and their family would prefer. In this instance, the LA should take the person’s wishes into consideration. If, however, they fail to do so, then the person will be eligible for support from advocacy groups such as Mencap, NYAS, and Disability Rights UK, to ensure that their voice is properly heard.
HELP WITH HOUSING
Most adults with learning disabilities and/or autism want to live in an
ordinary house, with as much or as little support as they need, fairly close to where they grew up. Beyond this (and the critical factor of cost) there are several considerations for families, starting with timescales. While it may be difficult to plan
a precise date, having a broad
idea will help everyone make the necessary arrangements and, just as importantly, prepare emotionally for the transition.
A young person may be offered
a place in supported living or in a residential care home, but there are other ways to get a house, for instance bidding for social housing,
partnering with organisations such as Lets for Life or exploring shared ownership via HOLD mortgages.
Living alone versus sharing accommodation is another consideration. People with learning disabilities and autistic people can choose to move in with friends or
a partner, for instance. Sharers will typically live with one to four others, so being matched with the right housemates is just as important as choosing the right building.
People in supported living are usually eligible for housing benefit to cover rent costs, while the cost of residential care is usually met by
CASE STUDY:
OWAIN’S OWN PLACE (NOT PICTURED IN THE ARTICLE)
Owain moved into his own flat in the midst of the pandemic. He was 18, had virtually no belongings, and needed support to tie his shoes. Now, with support from Dimensions, he is thriving in adult life more than he ever thought possible.
In his own words, it has not been an easy ride, but two years on
from moving in he is immensely proud of the progress he has made. He budgets his own money, buys what he wants and needs, and
has developed skills such as cooking and cleaning. He is also more integrated into the community, having been to Harry Potter world (twice!) and currently in the process of planning a trip to Blackpool with friends for his 21st birthday.
Owain has achieved all this with the support of Dimensions, who have helped him manage his transition to adult life. Owain’s success – having been unaware of how his LA could even help when he approached them aged 18 – shows how much young people’s lives can improve in a short space of time. Just imagine the possibilities unlocked by a transition that has years of preparation from families, LAs, and providers behind it.
TAILORING TRANSITIONS
Owain’s story is a great inspiration for families entering this transitional phase in their young person’s life. But it is also Owain’s own story. Every individual will benefit from a transition to adult services – and adult life – that has been tailored to meet their specific needs.
This isn’t necessarily easy, and can certainly take time. But hopefully some of the considerations highlighted here, and in our resources, will support young people to set up the best possible start to adult life. These resources include a comprehensive Q&A, with questions from families of individuals going through transitions now, answered by those who have been through it themselves in previous years. We hope to pass on this knowledge to benefit as many people as possible.
SECURING A SOCIAL WORKER
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