Moving out and moving on up: Housing transition options for young people

Dimensions, one of the country’s largest not-for-profit organisations supporting people with learning disabilities and autism, offer personalised care to enable them to have choice and control in their lives.

For KtoA Magazine, the Dimensions team outline the opportunities and obstacles that young people with disabilities face in their transition journey, and highlight the support they can provide for housing and independent living.

Understanding the maze of adult support options is complex but critical. Some colleges are part of adult support providers whose living options may not be right for your child. Some local authorities may nudge you towards living options that are similarly not suitable. There’s a lot to think about –starting with support, housing, and financial arrangements.

When considering what property will best suit the person’s needs and become a place they can call home, it’s important to realise that as they mature and grow, gaining new skills and independence, their needs will likely change over time.

Both private and social housing lets are becoming increasingly scarce, and even when a vacancy arises, how can all parties be sure that this property is suitable and tenants well matched? Dimensions is one of the only support providers to employ dedicated housing brokers whose role is to look at everyone individually, to support and understand the right environment for them, considering their specific needs, age, location, and personality.

Dimensions constantly seek innovative new solutions to address this need. Highgreave in Sheffield was an old disused care facility and offered an opportunity to create a new home for people with complex needs. Highgreave now offers a place for up to five young adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to live in individual flats, learning the skills needed for independent living; and is becoming an important resource within the local community.

Navigating transition: a case study by Edward’s support team and family

Edward and his parents

Edward was at a college for children with disabilities throughout his teens but returned to living with his parents after college. A social worker recognised that Dimensions could meet his needs. Eight months of intensive planning followed Edward’s referral to us and ten months into his support – in his own flat –the choice and control he exerts over his life continues to grow.

Eva and Andy, Edward’s parents, said: ‘We were put in touch with a few other families by Edward’s social worker and the staff at Edward’s old school. Principally, those whose children had been through transition a year or two previously. They were knowledgeable in recommending providers and helping us understand the process and procedures involved – from power of attorney to needs assessments. With Ed’s social worker’s help, we concluded that supported living was the optimum type of support for Ed.’

What were your priorities for Edward through the transition process?

Sandra, Locality Manager at Dimensions, explains: ‘We prioritise getting the right home and support team. We secured transition funding from the local authority which was vital. It provided behaviour support input – in the shape of a Functional Behaviour Analysis – to help us all understand the roots of his challenging behaviour, and to plan in light of this. It meant we could recruit his team well in advance and create a “Getting To Know You” period with the team spending time with Edward in the family home, which we know substantially reduces the chance of failure.’

What would you say to parents whose child is entering their teens?

Sandra says: ‘By the time your child is fourteen or fifteen, you should have contacted both your child’s college and your local authority to get an idea of the adult support options available and start the planning process. Listen to the adult social care professionals in your area, develop a vision for the adult support you eventually want for your child, and take the lead.’

Edwards’ Support Worker, Nigel responded: ‘I’ve seen people having very different transition experiences, but a common factor in good transitions is early involvement from a clear-minded family. Parents’ priorities, preferences and approach to partnership working are some of the ingredients that can make that difference.’

‘It’s nice when a family asks the support team for advice and listens to our thoughts. That’s the point where we’ve ‘‘earned our stripes’’ –we’ve built a trusting, robust partnership.’

Want to find out more? Please email business-development@dimensions-uk.org, or to speak to one of the Dimensions Family Consultants on 0300 303 9161.