Service transitions

This briefing paper provides information for family carers who are supporting a teenager or young adult with severe learning disabilities and behaviour described as challenging, who is approaching transition to adult services. It aims to help carers understand what expect from local services, to help identify what 'good' services look like, to help them ask for the support they and their family need and to help them work in partnership with the professionals.

This online guide looks at how social care services can improve access to adults with autism. It is based on research that explores the barriers to services experienced by people with autism. It covers people with autism, whether or not they also have a learning disability. The main sections of the guide cover: awareness raising; acceptability and accessibility; joint working; transitions; early intervention and prevention; personalising services; and carers. The guide suggests ways services can improve, identifying how best to meet the goals of the government's autism strategy.

This is a personal account of the issues faced by carers of a young adult with autism and a learning disability in making the transition from children's services to an adult residential setting, and the ongoing difficulties in maintaining his well-being and ensuring his future quality of life.

The study examined the effects of transition employment support to two cohorts of young people who were in their last year in school or college in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. This paper reports the views of carers, teachers and support workers of the impact this additional support made to the young people. Analysis of the data reveals a difference between the views of carers and those of professionals.