Taking the next step, together
Change can be a difficult, uncertain time for loved ones and their support networks – transitioning from children services into adulthood can be especially unsettling. We are committed to making this journey as easy and stress-free as possible, with a dedicated team to support you and answer any concerns or queries you may have.
We value the role that families and loved ones play in the lives of the people we support and take pride in building strong relationships with loved ones – working together and maintaining open communication.
Nobody knows your loved ones better than you, and your insights and experiences are vital. From day one, you’ll be involved in shaping the support we provide.
Preparing For Adulthood
A ‘Preparing For Adulthood’ plan will help you prepare for your loved one’s next steps and help them set out what they might want to achieve in their future. These plans often kickstart around Year 9 during your loved one’s annual review, and often form part of the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
The plan will cover important areas of their life which may include learning, work, where they will live, their health and wellbeing, relationships, and money management.
If you feel your loved one would benefit from further support after leaving education, someone from your funding team will arrange to complete a Care and Support Assessment, which will include looking at your loved one’s needs, their wellbeing and their future goals. This normally happens a few months before they turn 18 and will involve your child’s support network, including the school’s Transition Lead and SENCO.
Once this has been arranged, your social worker from the transitions or adult team will then contact you to gather additional information such as the support your loved one currently receives, and what support they may need as an adult. They will usually attend the annual review at school so they can meet those who know your loved one to support alongside this.
Exploring and gathering information
It’s great that you have started planning for your loved one’s future. Gathering information and exploring different options will help you clarify the next steps and discover what is best for them.
At Choice Care, we can provide information and support, helping you make the right decision. This can include visiting some of our homes and giving you the chance to meet the teams and finding out what it is like to live in our homes.
Working Together to Find a Place to Call Home
The Referrals Team work in conjunction with your loved one’s funding authority. So, before we can begin arranging assessments, we will need to make connect with your Social Worker or the Local Authority Brokerage Team.
Our Assessment
We want to ensure that the assessment is a comfortable experience for everyone involved, so please let us know what environment works best for your loved one. This can be at home, at school, or out in the community. Spending time with your loved one and their immediate support network of people, is really important to us.
There are two types of assessment which differ slightly, depending on the needs of the person who has been referred – for example, if they have learning disabilities or mental health needs.
For someone with learning disabilities, the assessment will include things like exploring someone’s preferred communication style, their health needs, what routines are important to them and finding out what they enjoy to do.
An assessment for someone with mental health needs will include things like exploring their history, and establishing what they would like to achieve, and how we can support with achieving these goals.
Despite the structure of the assessments differing slightly, the main goal will always be to establish how we can best support someone, and ensure we empower them to live the life they want to lead and thrive.
Once completed, we will share the assessment with our Operations Team who oversee the homes and can arrange visits to homes we feel would be best for your loved one.
Funding Approval
We have a dedicated finance team who support with the funding process and have established positive relationships with funding authorities.
Once the fees have been finalised, it will then be shared with your social worker, who will take this to their panel for funding to be agreed.
Moving in
Together with the home manager, your loved one and your funding authority, we aim to find the perfect place for your loved one to call home.
Once everyone agrees that they have found a home for your loved one to thrive and funding is in place, we will arrange a transition meeting to plan the final stages.
This can include:
- Arranging for a day or night visit
- Ensuring the bedroom is furnished to your loved one’s preference
- Looking into new opportunities and exploring interests
Once a place has been decided for your loved one to lead the life they want to live, it’s time for them to move in! In the first few days and weeks, our referrals team will work closely with your loved one to help them feel comfortable and safe, and you can contact them at any time with any concerns and questions you may have.
Contact our Referrals Team
At Choice Care, we believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to move into adulthood with confidence and clarity with the right support around them. We are here to support you with this journey by offering guidance, listening to your concerns, and working together.
To find a home for your loved one to thrive, please contact our Referrals Team at referrals@choicecaregroup.com.
