Preparing for adulthood; experiences of young people with special educational needs

Based on feedback from residents and stakeholders on their priorities in health and social care, Healthwatch Tower Hamlets conducted a research project exploring the experiences of social care services supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to prepare for adulthood and transition to adult services.  They spoke to 27 young people, parents and carers.

When asked to recall the age at which planning for their future began, the average age mentioned by the respondents was 17, suggesting more work is needed to ensure the planning phase starts as early as possible, giving young people enough time to discuss their wishes, explore their options and set realistic goals and the steps needed to achieve them.

Only 19% of the young people in the research had a support plan in place to help secure employment. Many of them find it challenging to secure employment, which makes it essential that they are provided with opportunities to learn skills in a supportive environment. The research identified some good examples of the positive impact an internship and apprenticeships can offer, highlighting the need for more meaningful opportunities in various industries, giving them a chance to discover, learn new skills and pursue something they truly enjoy.

The feedback from young people with hearing and visual impairments indicated that activities and hobbies were less often discussed compared to the feedback provided by all young people with SEND. Additionally, Healthwatch Tower Hamlets noted during the engagement phase of the project that there are very few organisations in Tower Hamlets that provide activities for young people with sensory impairments, or there is a lack of awareness of them.

Although the majority of the young people spoken to rated their relationship with their social worker as positive, 42% rated it as neutral or negative, or they were unsure about it. Some young people reported negative experiences with their social workers or having multiple social workers, with some being “okay” and some not, which would no doubt have an impact on the continuity of the young person’s care. In addition, more than a third of the young people rated the communication with their social worker as either neutral or negative, while 30% reported that their social worker did not provide information about their support plans in a way that was easy for them to understand.