Welcome to
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation Website
making a difference to the lives of people with severe learning disabilities
Registered charity no. 1060714
England - Know who can Help
There are a range of people that may be available to provide you with advice. Any of these could be a starting point to signpost you to sources of support.
Voluntary organisations provide a range of information, support and advice. Some provide general information (e.g. Mencap, Contact A Family, etc), and some provide more specialised information for people with specific needs.
The specific support that the Challenging Behaviour Foundation can provide for families caring for sons/daughters with severe learning disabilities who are described as having challenging behaviour is explained in 'What Next' section.
Brokerage is a way in which people can be helped to navigate the social care system. A support broker is an independent person who is trained to co-ordinate the process of organizing and maintaining a support package for an individual. Through brokerage people can be helped to gain access to, funding for and receipt of the care and support they need, or can help you identify how these needs might best be met and at what cost. Brokerage ensures that the individual is fully involved and in control of choosing their own care package and its delivery. This is independent of whether people fund their own care or are supported in some measure by their council. Brokerage can be provided by people who are specifically trained and employed as brokers or by members of the individual’s family or friends who may not be paid to undertake the role. To find information about services in your local area contact the National Brokerage Network through their website www.nationalbrokeragenetwork.org.uk or telephone 01279 504735. |
Transition support
Acknowledging that there is not always good communication between the diverse support agencies who should be involved in transition, the Connexions service was developed to ‘connect’ all the stakeholders and co-ordinate the process. Every young person aged 13-19 has the right to a Connexions Personal Advisor (PA) and for young people with learning disabilities this support is available up until age 24. Your Connexions Personal Advisor (PA) may be contacted through your child’s school. If your child attends an out of area school, the Connexions PA attached to the school should liaise with the Connexions PA in your local area. For further information about Connexions in your area contact your local Connexions Service.
Your Social Worker or Care Manager will be a key person who can co-ordinate the process and ensure that all those who should be involved are included. They will be able
to provide information about local services and support
Some areas have specialist Transition Workers who aim to provide a range of support including advice for parents. Your local transition worker may be attached to the children with learning disabilities team, the adult team or the transition team within Social Services, and should ensure that there is good communication between the children and adult teams.
Your local Learning Disability Partnership Board will have a transition framework for your area and a Transition ‘champion’. If you want to know more about how transition should work in your area, contact your local Partnership Board. (Your local Council will be able to provide you with the Learning Disability lead contact who will have information about the Partnership Board, or visit www.valuingpeople.gov.uk for details of your local board.)