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Wales - 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. SNAP Cyrmu, Mencap Cymru, People First Wales), 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 chapter 10 'What Next'.

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

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 and family support team in your area, the adult team or the transition team within Social Services, and should ensure that there is good communication between the children and adult teams.

Careers Wales has a legal duty to ensure that all young people living in Wales who have difficulty in transferring to further education or training receive an assessment of needs and future provision during their final year at school. There are six Careers Wales companies in Wales and there will be one located within the region in which you live. You will find that Careers Wales will need to produce a written report of the individual’s education and training needs and the services required to address these needs. This plan will, with agreement of the young person, be passed to the new service provider.