Year 9 transition review

[Salah11]

Hi everyone, my daughter is 14 and has a moderate learning disability (Down’s syndrome) and I think could live semi-independently i.e in supported living as an adult. She doesn’t have a social worker. What do I need to ensure goes in her transition review? And can anyone advise on what age their young adult moved out of home into supported living? Thanks.

[BenjiB]

She should have a social worker or a representative from social services at the review. This is a really crucial time to make sure your thoughts and wishes for her are discussed . We wanted our son to continue at his school until 19 and then go on to residential college after. We discussed the residential college at his year 11, 12 and 13 reviews, in detail. We had to go to tribunal for funding and the LA said they didn’t know that’s what we wanted, we’d never discussed it with them . I realised I’d never been sent meeting minutes. Takes notes, even record these transition meetings especially if you wish your daughter to remain in education.

So my son stayed at school (in the college part) until he was 19 and then went to a residential college on a 38 week placement. He leaves in July and will go into residential care. we’ve had a place lined up for months now but it’s just fallen through so I’m frantically trying to find somewhere else suitable. He’s 23. I've discounted supported living placements which is limiting our options a little bit. We really want/need residential care.

[Salah11 in reply to BenjiB]

Hi Benji, that’s so helpful and I very much appreciate you taking the time to reply. I’ve asked if a social worker can come but the council said only if she already has one and there’s a shortage of SEN workers. The usual! I will definitely record/take notes. I’m so sorry your son’s placement has fallen through, that’s terrible and so stressful. I hope you find something else suitable soon.

[Suzzichka in reply to BenjiB]

Hi Benji, would you mind explaining why you have discounted supported living? We’re looking at housing options for our son who has pmld and at the moment are favouring supported living over residential care so details of your own experience would be really helpful. Thanks in advance 😊

[BenjiB in reply to Suzzichka]

Because with supported living there tends to be a tenancy agreement and the person pays their share of the bills. As my son can’t sign a tenancy agreement we would need to go to the court of protection to get deputyship for finance. It’s just a hassle I don’t want (it involves sending yearly reports in too) and I don’t have time to do now either as we need to find a placement asap. With residential care the LA just pay the fees and that’s that.

[LearningLot]

We had to go to tribunal to get transition outcomes and supports in our daughter's EHCP, so be prepared for a fight. The outcomes are all educational in nature, so things like making sure she understands how to budget, make friends etc. Nothing about how she will actually live as an adult, e.g. housing. She will not be assessed by a social worker until she is almost 18, which is way too late in my mind. I don't know how you can make plans in year 9 when you don't know the specifics of what you are planning for. A good website to check out is preparingforadulthood.org.uk/ Good luck!

[Salah11]

Thank you for responding. I think in my borough, they do the social assessments at 16, I agree that nearly 18 is too late. I'm just going to make sure I've got independent living in there so I've laid the groundwork from year 9! Great website, thank you.