This section below covers good practice that can apply to all young people.
I have somewhere to live that I can call home
For detailed information and guidance on housing issues the Housing LIN is a place for council leads to start. SWADASS and the housing LIN produced a guide to Housing and Care in 2023. Specific places to direct people for support include.
- Local Housing Options Teams (via the council) can provide advice on social housing applications, private renting support, and housing benefits.
- Home ownership may be one option to consider. LGA and ADASS have published a step-by-step guide.
- Supported Living Providers for those needing low-level support while living independently. Supported living providers can be found through local commissioning and adult social care teams.
- Shared Lives Schemes where young adults with a learning disability and or autism can live with carers in a family setting. Available through local councils.
- Floating Support Services (e.g., local housing support teams, charities) for tenancy support, budgeting help, and maintaining independent living.
- Shelter or similar local services for advice on housing rights, homelessness prevention, and private rental support.
- Citizens Advice for legal housing advice and help with disputes.
- Discretionary Housing Payments (via the council) for financial support with rent or deposits.
I have ambitions for my future and know how to get support to achieve them
The national careers advice service is a generic support service. There is also specific guidance and advice (jobs) (education) on the national career’s advice services website. Disability rights UK have useful information as on careers and jobs for disabled people.
Careers advisers can help explore aspirations, identify strengths, and guide them through the necessary steps to achieve their career goals. Many local higher education institutions offer dedicated support services for students with disabilities.
These services can provide transition support, adjustments in learning environments, and advice on pursuing specific career paths.
Disability Employment Advisers in local Job Centre Plus offices provide specialised support to help young people with disabilities find training opportunities, work placements, and employment. They can also inform about available grants and schemes, like Access to Work, which provides financial support for accommodations needed in the workplace.
- BASE (the British Association for Supported Employment is an organisation that focuses on promoting and supporting the employment of people with disabilities and other complex needs.
- Personalised Signposting: Councils can actively provide information on voluntary organisations tailored to each young person’s interests and ambitions, using easy-read guides, online directories, and social media to share opportunities.
- Proactive Outreach: Councils can proactively connect young people with relevant organisations rather than expecting them to find support independently. Local Offer websites should list available groups and voluntary organisations.
- Provide mentoring or buddying schemes for young people who need help getting involved.
I am part of a community that makes sense to me
Everyone has a different perspective on how community makes sense to them. Councils can support people to be part of a community that makes sense to them by:
- Personalised Signposting: Councils can actively provide information on voluntary organisations tailored to each young person’s interests and ambitions, using easy-read guides, online directories, and social media to share opportunities.
- Proactive Outreach: Councils can proactively connect young people with relevant organisations rather than expecting them to find support independently. Local Offer websites should list available groups and voluntary organisations that support people to be active and visible members of their community.
- Partnership with Local Voluntary Organisations: Councils can collaborate with voluntary organisations to ensure young people can access inclusive social opportunities.
- Provide mentoring or buddying schemes: for young people who need help getting involved. For example, Gig Buddies and Sports Buddies.
- Encouraging Peer Support and Self-Advocacy: Facilitate peer networks and forums where young people can share experiences and support each other.
I can be myself in relationships and feel loved and safe
There are many national and local organisations that provide advice and guidance on personal relationships. A good place to start is Supported Loving. Skills for Care have published a set of training materials and a searchable resource that sets out a range of learning materials that cover many different aspects of personal relationships.
I have access to healthcare support that makes sense
NHS England have national guidance for health care workers on supporting people with a learning disability or autism.
- General Practitioners: Encourage individuals to register with a GP who can coordinate their healthcare and refer them to specialist services as needed. GPs can also provide Annual Health Checks for people with learning disabilities, which are tailored to address their specific health needs.
- Learning Disability Community Teams: These multidisciplinary teams are equipped to provide specialised support, including assessment, care planning, and interventions tailored to those with learning disabilities.
- Autism Diagnostic Services: Available through the NHS, these services can provide formal diagnosis and links to further support. There needs to be a strong ink from these services to adult front line social work teams and commissioners to track the demographic and keep ahead of the curve.
- Specialist Clinics and Services: Direct individuals to clinics and services that specialise in supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
When I need support with my mental health, I know how to get it
- General Practitioners: can make referrals to appropriate mental health services. GPs can evaluate initial concerns and coordinate with mental health specialists.
- Learning Disability Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs): These teams often include psychologists, psychiatrists, and nurses who are trained to work with individuals with learning disabilities and autism.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Services: Many areas have services specifically catering to ASD-related mental health issues.
- Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Services: Some IAPT services offer adapted methodologies to better cater to people with a learning disability and autism, including longer assessment times and the use of adapted communication strategies.
- Specialist Hospitals and Clinics: There are dedicated healthcare settings providing inpatient and outpatient mental health support tailored for individuals with learning disabilities and autism, such as those that provide sensory-friendly environments and communication aids. Mainstream inpatient services can also reasonably adjust the environment, and the services provided.
- Advocacy services: can assist individuals in understanding their rights and accessing mental health support. Advocates often have experience navigating complex healthcare systems and ensuring support is provided in a way individuals understand.
- Crisis Support: In times of mental health crisis, options like NHS 111, crisis helplines, or emergency mental health services can be accessed. Some areas have specialized crisis intervention teams trained to support people with learning disabilities and autism.
I know where to get support if I want more education or to get a job.
Education
- Natspec: The membership association for organisations that offer specialist further education and training for students with learning disability and disabilities. They provide a directory of specialist colleges that focus on personalised learning programs to prepare students for adulthood.
- Local Offer: Every local authority in England publishes a ˜Local Offer detailing the support available for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Information on education, health, and social care services, including local colleges, apprenticeship opportunities, and support groups. Examples of local offers include Cambridgeshire County Council, Peterborough Unitary Authority and Gateshead.
- Disabled Students Allowances (DSA): DSAs are grants to help meet the extra costs students might face in higher education due to a disability. Can cover costs for specialist equipment, non-medical helpers, and other disability-related expenses.
Jobs
- Local Supported Employment (LSE) Initiative: Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Guidance: The DWP provides grant funding to local authorities to support adults with learning disabilities and autism in securing and maintaining competitive employment. This initiative encourages councils to implement supported employment services tailored to individual needs.
- National Careers Service: Provides free, personalised careers advice and guidance to individuals aged 13 and over in England. Offers support tailored to individuals with disabilities, including assistance with job searches, CV writing, and interview preparation.
- Access to Work Programme: A government initiative providing financial support to help individuals with disabilities start or stay in work. Offers grants for workplace adaptations, specialised equipment, or support workers to ensure a conducive working environment.
- Local Supported Employment Services: Many local councils offer supported employment services tailored to individuals with learning disabilities or autism. These services often include job matching, on-the-job training, and ongoing support to ensure job retention.
I know where to find advocacy and advice about my rights in my local area.
Disability Rights UK provides an overview of advocacy support, with some examples of advocacy organisations.
Healthwatch can provide information on accessing healthcare services and advocate on behalf of individuals to ensure their needs and rights are considered in the provision of local health and care services.