Transition for young people with learning disabilities

The Government's White Paper "Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21st Century" recognised the need for a more cohesive approach to transition for young people with learning disabilities.

Plymouth Social Services in partnership with the Michael Batt Foundation put together a bid for a project which would develop a clear pathway for the main agencies working with young people in the transition phase of their lives. Funding was secured in April 2000 as one of the five Health Action Zones (HAZ) Innovations initiatives awarded in Plymouth.

The project commenced in October 2000 with the appointment of a Transitions Co-ordinator and during the first 18 months the Plymouth Pathway to Transition for young people with learning disabilities was developed. The Pathway has a clear framework identifying the tasks, roles and responsibilities of each of the three main agencies - Social Services, Lifelong Learning and Connexions. From April 2002 the Pathway was piloted with young people who attended both special and mainstream schools and the document was amended according to feedback from the pilots.

On 31 July 2003 the finalised Pathway document was signed by the Director of Social Services, Director of Lifelong Learning and the Local Manager of Connexions. Please contact us to request a copy.