Transition support between children’s and adult services for young people with SEND is blighted by problems that are adding to a “an entirely broken support system”, found the research by charity Kids.
It details how families are facing a “cliff edge” in support when young people become 18. This is more prevalent for those with complex needs.
“The more complex the needs, the steeper the cliff edge,” found the charity.
Information about transition support is “too hard to find”, which is leaving young people “waiting without the vital support they need”.
When support is available it “too often fails to meaningfully include them in society”, found Kids.
Already families face challenges accessing children’s services support and further problems with transition support is impacting their relationships, finances and mental health.
Kids wants the next government to “step up and demonstrate action” to improve transition support, by highlighting and closing gaps in support within one term of office.
A UK-wide coalition involving health, social care and education providers should also be formed to aid improvements. This should be led by the views of young people and families, recommends Kids.
“It always felt like everyone else was growing up faster than me and I was way behind.”
— Kids (@KidsCharity) May 9, 2024
Our new report highlights the challenges faced by young people with SEND as they move from childhood to adulthood.
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“Whatever pathway young people with SEND they have been navigating through childhood, the cliff edge comes as they face a huge gap in support when they move from children’s to adults’ services,” said Kids chief executive Katie Ghose.
“This leaves so many families desperately struggling to fill the gap. Fresh thinking and urgent action are needed.”
The research involved focus groups with young people with SEND and parents as well as detailed interviews with parents, young people and support providers.
“It feels like I have to do a lot of leg work to make it a successful transition, otherwise nothing will happen,” said one parent interviewed.
Among young people who took part in the research one said: “There were nights when I would lay up and think ‘what’s next?’”
Another said: “It was really, really scary, I’m leaving school with the thought of what to do next. It’s really scary.
“People like me don’t get something to do, we don’t have something to do.
“We are expected to rely on someone for the rest of our lives. It was scary for me because I had to submit a lot of forms, write a lot of applications, it was very challenging.”
