Improved planning and outcomes for disabled younger people and adults

What we did

Worcestershire County Council has set up two new teams in order to improve the transition of younger disabled people. The Transition Team, based in children's services, is a dedicated social work team that supports young adults aged between 16 and 25 with a learning disability, physical disability, specific health need or combination of needs. The team works pro-actively with younger disabled people and their families to help them achieve their true potential and goals. At the same time a Vulnerable Adults Team was set up within adult services to work with young adults (18+) previously supported by children's services.

Why we did it

Transition had been a major concern over the years for youngsters and their families, in particular around times of leaving school or college, as well as sharing information about options, adult services and its process. There was limited capacity for social work transition support within the community teams and the strain often resulted in costly crisis interventions and young adults not achieving their true potential, causing stress to families as a whole. This was also causing a significant financial pressure on the council and in turn high cost care package expectations from individuals, families and service providers. Vulnerable adults who had been known to and supported by children's services did not necessarily meet FACS criteria once they reached 18 and were at risk of 'slipping through the net' until reaching crisis point and prevented from reaching their potential for independence, and health and wellbeing. A preventative supporting approach was identified as a requirement to make positive changes in this area and criteria for the two specific teams were designed to dovetail their support of young people in transition and vulnerable adults.

Outcome

The transition support planning for young people has greatly improved and a pathway developed around long term goals and options such as employment and vocational work. It has also created more awareness of safeguarding of vulnerable adults, and that this is everyone's responsibility, and stronger links have been developed with housing, employment, communities and other services. Because of the improved transition process and planned work that is carried out most of the young adults do not require a personal budget. There has also been a reduction in emergency placements and much better mutual understanding between practitioners working in children and adult services.

Contact details

Anneke Loader, Self-Directed Support Development Officer, Worcestershire County Council, aloader@worcestershire.gov.uk, Tel: 01905 728565