Ken Simons

Transition: The Experiences of Young People with Learning Disabilities and their Families in England

Transition to adulthood can be a difficult time for all young people and their families, but young people with learning disabilities face additional stresses. Transition for young people with learning disabilities is highly topical, in relation to both policy and practice. Legislation and guidance offer various mechanisms for improving transition, including transition planning, health action planning and Connexions personal advisers. This study of 283 families with youngsters with learning disabilities found that existing legislation and guidance were largely failing youngsters with learning disabilities and their families at transition. There were substantial discrepancies between what ought to have been provided and what young people and their families experienced in practice, and significant difficulties as youngsters moved between childrens and adult health and social services. Other difficulties experienced at transition are also reviewed, along with possibilities for improvements in practice.

Getting a Foot in the Door: the Strategic Significance of Supported Living

The central argument of this paper is that supported living — enabling people with learning disabilities to live in their own homes, with appropriate support — has a potential strategic role in addressing some of the current shortcomings in community‐based residential services. These shortcomings are described, along with the possible contribution of an approach in which housing and support are separated. Finally some of the current concerns about supported living are briefly addressed.

The regulation of housing and support services: Time for a re‐think

THE INTENTIONS OF THE registration system for registered care homes were honourable, but in practice their application to services has frustrated attempts to give people the chance of an ordinary life. This institutional framework is inconsistently used and needs reform.

The bottom line: Incentives and disincentives for a wider range of housing and support options

Relatively few people with learning disabilities have their own homes. To achieve a wider range of housing and support options, we have to ensure that there are consistent financial incentives. For strategies to be successful in introducing significant change, some of the financial and administrative inconsistencies in benefits, ILF, out of area placements and Supporting People will have to be addressed.