A successful transition

G attended a residential college 70 miles from home, and when the time came to leave, his parents assumed his college would guide and advise where he would be best placed and the level of care he would need.

However, the college were only helpful in saying G needed good care alongside a high degree of independence, but they were not able to offer any specific answers or concrete suggestions initially.

G's social worker was allocated exceptionally late in the day, was new and had no working knowledge of G, so making the process initially very stressful.

The family had considered a placement in Devon which offered ‘structured' care but the local Social Services said it was expensive and that they felt G would cope in the local community with the right amount of care. They felt G needed more independence, but the family were keen on the structure and level of care it offered, and saw it as a ‘safe bet' - rather than moving straight into the community.

G's college were not aware of this particular place and what it offered, nor were they completely aware of what was on offer at home.

The Connexions advisor was "useless and unequipped for the job. She promised so much at G's college review, but back at home offered nothing and expected me to find everything for G. She also raised our hopes with groundless foundation."

The social worker was more helpful than originally expected. She worked on a plan and gave advice on what could be available but it was a fairly new situation for her.

"We read 88 pages of Policy Documents and Strategy, and diligently followed up correspondence. At one point we were asked what we were quoting from - they seemed surprised it from their own Strategy Document!"

"We worked very hard during that time in looking at houses and sorting out all the various needs. Our emails requesting clarification and asking questions on their own Policy Documents and Strategy caused so many issues that we were "kicked upstairs". After a clarity meeting with the 2 head people, enormous progress was made. In order to get what you want to you have to get very involved and stay involved in order for it to continue to a reasonable standard. "

The final review meeting was very helpful - the staff were extremely positive about G's achievements yet still emphasised that G needed a good degree of care if he was to go into the community.

G was to move into a house with two friends of his choosing, with support. The family were fairly insistent on how much care he and his two housemates needed and were able to choose the house they live in, funded by housing benefit. There was no social housing available at the time.

"We can not underestimate the tenacity of us all in the early days to do what we felt was right for G and the two others. Our combined resolve and persistence to ‘do the right thing' for our children has definitely paid off, although there is more to do."

G's social worker, housing placement officer and all the staff who worked with G from college met in the spring term. This was helpful in introducing the local team to those who had worked with G over the last three years, and for the family to be with both teams at the same meeting.

"I would have felt more secure had it started earlier, but it did all come together in time in the end. I think preparations should begin in the autumn term before leaving the following year so that any problems can be ironed out early."

The support teams stayed involved throughout the planning (but not Connexions as G had turned 25), and have done to this day. The housing officer was available if needed, but since the family chose and ‘vetted' the property, she was only needed to help get ‘kick started'.

The family remained involved in the whole process from the time of G's final reviews at college (early in the year he was leaving) until he moved on in July. Information about his achievements over the last year, his work experience and his level of need, where he wanted to live, and who he wanted to live with, were considered important.

A team is allocated to the house and one person goes in at a time from 7.30 - 9am in the morning and 6 - 9pm in the evening with a slight alteration at the weekends. If there is a need to change any times the staff are very obliging. The key workers (day support services - and each young adult has a different one assigned to them) teach them to use the buses and help them find jobs as well as supporting them in the early days in the job. They also help them sign up for various courses, sports clubs etc.

They are now planning to have half a day a week with each adult individually in order to do specific tasks such as washing rather than all do it on the same day. Various problems with the house are dealt with now by the care team and the letting agents.

"There are times of great frustration; more particularly G has put on two stone since moving into independent living six months ago. We tried to get the support team to understand this is not good, but many details such as this will take some time and experience to mature."

The three young adults are coping extremely well and are very happy. The support services also make sure they go to various healthcare appointments and meet them there when needed. The adults sleep alone at night but they do understand (and have done!) that they can call police or ambulance services if needed, and someone always checks up that they lock up properly at night.

"Until they actually do move on, it is difficult to know just how capable your son or daughter may or may not be. We have a good care package."