Preparing for Adulthood Presented by Sarah Cavill, Lucinda Moore and Simon Sharp. Preparing for Adulthood Team

The Preparing for Adulthood Team Our preparing for adulthood team is part of adult social care and works in partnership with a range of local services and agencies including children’s services, education, health and housing services to provide information, advice and support to help disabled young people (aged 14-25) to develop and prepare for life as they become an adult.

The Preparing for Adulthood Team The service aims to: support young people to make a contribution to the communities in which they live enable young people to access universal and natural support encourage young people to achieve their goals and ambitions support young people in achieving a healthy lifestyle treat young people as partners, with dignity and respect enable and support young people to be safe but not restricted help young people to develop networks in their local area

The Preparing for Adulthood Journey The team will support young people through their journey to adulthood. A journey is designed around the individual needs, aims and ambitions of each young person. This aims to ensure the right level of care and support is arranged along with securing opportunities for learning and education, training, employment, social and leisure activities, and independent living. We have developed a guide that aims to help young people to choose the care they want, and say how they want to live and what they want to achieve.

The Preparing for Adulthood Team We start working with young people who have a learning disability, physical disability or Autism from the age of 14-25. Our main aims are to promote independence and to empower young people to do as much as they can for themselves or with their peers ( not always with carers) as well as promoting employment, health/well-being and independent living . We will start to get to know the needs of young people who are likely to be eligible for adult services and work with them, their families and professionals on preparing them for adulthood. To receive services as an adult young people need to eligible under the Care Act 2014, however the PfA team will advise guide and signpost where young people are ineligible for services.

The Preparing for Adulthood Team Myth Busting…… We are an adult social care team as such we have no responsibility to fund or make decisions regarding care and support pre 18, however will seek to be part of any planning for young people 14+. Not all young people who have a Special Need, Disability, Autism or who are deemed vulnerable will meet the eligibility of the Care Act and therefore are not necessarily entitled to social care services post 18. For those young people whose primary need is their mental health a transitions pathway into adult mental health services should be sought, including assessment under the Care Act (delegated responsibility). The relevant clinical referrals should be made in a timely way and ahead of time. Transfer of responsibility does not automatically take place when a young person turns 18, this needs to be mutually agreed between services and a relevant agreed support plan in place.

The Local Offer The Local Offer sets out what support services are available for Children and Young People with Special Educations Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Central Bedfordshire Councils Local Offer is located on the website: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/localoffer It includes information relating to Education Services, Support for Parents/Carers and The Preparing for Adulthood team

Carers Lead Simon Sharp Preparing for Adulthood team

The Preparing for Adulthood Team Carers Lead A crucial component and aspect held within the care act is the role of carers within health and social care. These essential roles provide care and support in often the most challenging of situations and circumstances. Within PFA the carers provide a pivotal role and as such are key to successful planning and support to their cared for at home. The role of a PFA Carer’s lead is to support and assess the carers to not only gain and understanding of the demands placed on them as carers but establish the needs of the carer themselves. The role of the carer can be varied and impacting in several different ways.  

The Preparing for Adulthood Team Some of the resources and tools utilised to support carers would include: The offer of a carers assessment to document and establish the direct impact and needs of the carers. Recommendations or a referral to commissioned services for carers such as Carers in Beds. Signposting to universal services such as Advice Central to general advice on many different areas within health and social care such as benefits advice.

The Preparing for Adulthood Team Direct payments can be offered to carers to provide a means to access services such as gym memberships or to pay towards gardening support and even driving lessons. Support in applying for any potential benefits such as the carers allowance. Applications for one off carers grants can be made to provide funds towards a short break. Having access to their own allocated worker within the Preparing for Adulthood team.

The Preparing for Adulthood Team Useful websites links to services that support carers; www.drcbeds.org.uk – Disability Resource Centre very useful for numerous services specific to learning or physical disabilities. www.advicecentral.org.uk – General advice across all kinds of mainstream services www.carersinbeds.org.uk – A commissioned service by CBC to provide direct support to carers. Applications for a one off carers grant can be accessed through this service. http://www.carersuk.org – A general carers support organisation that operates nationwide. www.gov.uk/carers-allowance - The online application process to obtain a carers allowance. https://www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk – A online resource for directions to a broad range of services or organisations to assist and maintain independence.

Employment Support Lucinda Moore Preparing for Adulthood team

The Preparing for Adulthood team Customer Pathway to Employment within PFA…….. Supported Employment refers to the provision within the Preparing for Adulthood team where young people with disabilities are assisted with obtaining and then maintaining employment. The employment team : Person Centred -seek to achieve young peoples aspirations, engaging with schools colleges and families to establish employment pathways Outcome Focused – ultimately aim to secure work trials, voluntary placements, paid employment

The Preparing for Adulthood team Employment support –opportunities through PFA. Focus on support for young people coming through transition. Links to Preparing for Adulthood approaches – links to development of the future day service offer and provider services Closer links with ALDT team – development of a more integrated approach around transition/moving to adulthood

The Preparing for Adulthood team Employment – Outcomes Prevention/ The Well-being effect – research shows people who are in work rather than in receipt of a service, have better overall well-being Community inclusion and community contribution – ‘I like helping’…’I like being part of a team’ Moving towards greater independence

The Preparing for Adulthood team Pathway to employment – support PFA facilitators will naturally encourage service users to progress towards voluntary and employment opportunities. Job Clubs Job searching Skills training Travel training Work behaviours CV writing Community work related activities

The Preparing for Adulthood team Contact details: Telephone: 0300 300 8100 E-mail: PFA.Duty@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk