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N.Ireland - Know the Process

Person-Centred Planning

The best place to start is with a detailed person-centred plan (PCP). A PCP is an ongoing recording with a positive ‘vision’ of what life should look like for the individual and the support needed to achieve the vision, maintain it, evaluate and review it.

A range of people should be involved in creating the plan, including family, friends, support staff, an advocate and social worker as well as the individual themselves, and it should focus on the individual’s strengths, abilities and preferences. It can cover information on how the person can be supported and stay healthy as well as who is important to the person and what they want for the future in terms of housing, support, education, employment and leisure.

In person-centred planning the process, as well as the plan, is owned and controlled by the person (and sometimes their closest family and friends).

For more information contact:

Families Leading Planning (telephone 07780 675197 or visit www.familiesleadingplanning.co.uk)

The Learning Disability Support Team (telephone 0808 808 1111)

The plan can be used to help obtain the services and support that the individual requires. The plan should also be regularly reviewed and added to over time to keep it relevant and useful.

Transition

In this pack the term transition is used to describe the period during which a young person is preparing to move into adulthood, i.e. from child to adult services. ‘Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People’ states that families should be supported through transition to adulthood: ‘Transition will be better planned around the needs of the individuals and service delivery will be smoother across the transition’. The Code of Practice sets out what should be happening at transition for children and young people with special education needs.

The initial annual review after the child’s 14th birthday is named the 14 + Transition Review. As a parent you may feel anxious about future plans being decided for a child at 14, however this is vital to ensure that the structure and support systems are being put in place to include all elements and also to look at the family as a whole. This also ensures that progress can be reviewed as well as developing a future plan.

It is ultimately the responsibility of the school to ensure that the 14 + Annual Review and the Transition Planning Process are carried out.

The people that may attend the meeting are: the young person, parents/ carers, principle/ teacher, education coordinator, representation from Health and Social Care Trust, other Voluntary Organisations. The Transition Coordinator may attend the meeting however in many cases they may not unless that child might face difficulties

The meeting should highlight a number of things for the young people, including their strengths, additional support needed, goals, and plans. The meeting should also address other contributing factors such as development of skills or health. The plan should highlight individuals or services that will help the young person. Responsibility for co-ordinating, monitoring and reviewing the plan will fall to the school assisted by the Transition Coordinator, and may involve a specialist careers adviser and anyone else deemed necessary.

Key Points

The key points to remember when you are trying to champion local individualised services or support for your family member are:

Aim high. Think about what an “ideal” scenario for your son/daughter would be. It may be that not all aspects of this vision will be achieved, but at least some will be.
Identify “allies” that can help and support you. (The CBF is one!)
Think creatively. Don’t accept that you can only choose from what is currently available.
Don’t give up if you encounter barriers - barriers can be overcome.
Find out what other families have done. Many families known to the CBF are happy to share their experiences and can provide valuable insight into how to make things happen.

Whether you are facing transition or trying to change services or support for your son or daughter, we know what a lengthy and difficult process it can be. There are times when you will forge ahead and other times when progress will seem painfully slow – and it may feel easier to ‘stay the same’ rather than try to change things. Don’t give up! Ask for help if you need it. At the CBF we know how hard it can be, and we will do all we can to support you.

Remember:

It’s never too soon to start – and it’s never too late to change for the better!