How to handle Best-Interests meeting ?

[oddfish7]

As a first step along the road of moving my LD adult on from the family home, there is the Best Interests meeting. It's clearly an important meeting.

Do community member have any tips for how to prepare for this ?

Would be grateful for any hints or experiences you are able to share about this meeting. What should we expect ?

thank you

[SpeedyH]

Hi there. No direct experience as my son doesn't want to move out but a few thoughts.... The meeting is likely to be person-centred so will concentrate on what your daughter wants to do. If she has capacity they will ask her, so make sure you know beforehand what she wants, both so that there are no surprises and also so that you can make sure that she has the opportunity to communicate her wishes effectively. If she doesn't have capacity, then it is wise to gather as much evidence as you can to show why what you are suggesting is in her best interest. eg you need to work towards her being independent for when you are not around etc. If you can, steer the meeting away from any talk of budgets. Point out that it is a meeting to decide what is in her best interests not to find the cheapest option for the LA. Hope it goes well.

[oddfish7 in reply to SpeedyH]

thank you so much, SpeedyH. Some very helpful tips there. Will need to ensure a makaton signer is in the meeting as my daughter is better with makaton than with spoken word.

thank you.