Transitioning from Children’s Support Services to Adult Services

When does transitioning from children’s support services to adult supported living services begin?

This time of life involves a period of change, and as with all change, planning is key, which is why the transition process from child to adult support services usually starts around the age of 14. There can be a lot of information and decisions to work through, and so by starting the process early, you can allow for plenty of time to explore all the options and to have the right conversations with everyone involved in your support. 

If you’re a young adult leaving college and wanting to maintain your independence while living with other young people, Lifeways can help you find the right place to live, whether it’s in a residential living option or a supported living setting. 

Where does the transitioning process start?

First, together with your support worker, we’ll spend lots of time talking to you and your family to get to know you well and gain a good understanding of everything you’re looking for, so we can help suggest what options are best suited for your needs. We have lots of experience supporting families and younger adults with differing needs to find the location and support team that’s best suited to them, and so you can rely on us to help guide you through your decision-making process. 

We will keep the people and teams involved in your support updated regularly throughout the process, whilst ensuring minimal disruption to any existing routines. We’ll even arrange regular joint meetings to keep everyone in the loop so that you’ll know what to expect and when. 

How do I choose the right living option?

At Lifeways, there are plenty of choices when it comes to places to live. We support people in shared houses, bungalows, residential houses, and individual apartments. 

Each home has its own feel, so you’ll be sure to find the one that’s right for you. Maybe you’d like to live in a shared house? Or perhaps you’d like your own self contained apartment? If you’d prefer to live with others, we’re able to help match you with people of similar ages and interests, so that you’ll be able to enjoy spending time with like-minded people. 

We’ve got places to live all over the UK when it comes to location, in great locations close to shops and transport links. You’ll have the option to stay close to family, friends, and local communities, or discover somewhere new. Our local support teams have great connections within the local communities, so we will help you reach out and get involved in the social and leisure activities you’re interested in.

If you are not sure if supported living or residential care is the best option for your loved one, then read our blog on the differences between supported living and residential care.

What does the move-in process involve?

When you’re ready to move in, we offer a staggered transition so you can visit your new home for a few hours, then for a day, and finally for an overnight stay to see if it suits you. We’ll help you maintain your routines and keep up with any existing hobbies and interests during this time. 

Plus, we’ll support you with exploring the local area, so you can get the most out of your new home and your new community. Above all, we’ll listen to you and your needs, and do everything we can make sure your transition is smooth and well organised.

What does the transition process look like?

1. We’ll arrange a visit to meet you in person with your family, as well as your current support team and any medical professionals. 
2. We’ll find out about your current support, what you want for your future and start to explore your options. 
3. We’ll liaise with your transition team to create a funding proposal for your local council. We’ll keep you up to date throughout the whole process.
4. We’ll show you around some different places – apartments and shared houses – so you can see them for yourself, ask any questions and meet some of the people we support. 
5. We can also help you build a moving-in plan. This can include information about your new home, how much things such as utilities will cost, photographs of your flat or bedroom, and information on the staff team. 
6. Once funding is approved, we can set a move-in date and will be on-hand to support you to make the move as smooth as possible. If you like, you can stay the night in your new home before you move in. We can even arrange a tea or lunch with the other tenants before your move. 
7. We practise inclusive recruitment – this means that you can be involved in choosing your support team, so that you have the right people supporting you, with the right skills, where possible they may also share the same hobbies and interests as you. 
8. We can arrange a workshop with you and your family to introduce you to your new team. It’s a useful opportunity to meet the team, get to know each other, and start to build a great relationship. 

What kind of support will I receive once I’ve moved in?

Once settled into your new home, the support you’ll receive from Lifeways will be completely tailored to you and your goals. Creating a bespoke support plan means that we’ll be able to provide the perfect amount of support, helping you to lead an independent and fulfilling life. That might be supported with everyday tasks such as household tasks, shopping, and spending time in the community, or being by your side as you achieve longer-term goals such as stepping into future education or employment.

Next steps - How Lifeways can help

If you’re considering the transition from children’s support services to adult services, and you’d like to find out more about how we can help and the support we offer, please call us on 0333 321 4881 or email us at referrals@lifeways.co.uk, and one of our local referrals managers will be in touch to arrange a time for a chat.