Moving into Adulthood

Young people with learning disabilities.

Leaving school and moving into adulthood is an exciting time for most young people, but for young people with learning disabilities and their families it can be a time of uncertainty and anxiety. This stage is often referred to by services as ‘transition’

Disabled children and their families are dependent on many different services and agencies for support. We often have to think ahead and plan for the future in a way that other families don’t have to.

As families we are often unclear about what happens in this stage of our children’s life – who should be doing what and when and what is our role in the process. We worry about what choices will be available in education, training, work and housing and what support will our children have when they become an adult. The whole process can seem complex and overwhelming at times, with new jargon to understand and new systems to navigate.

OxFSN has produced the “Getting a Life” series of guides to help young people and their families to plan for the future, by using person centred thinking techniques. And useful tips and advice on subjects that include: education, money matters, social care, finding the right support, becoming and adult, health and well-being, finding work/volunteering and somewhere to live.