Key transitions for adults with a learning disability

BACKGROUND

It is important that adults with learning disability should feel central to the decisions about their care including through the key transition periods, to ensure that they experience a smooth transition process. However, there is limited evidence that has explored how people with a learning disability are supported through transitions.  

The study will explore three transition periods: 

• • Adults aged 17-18 who are receiving support through children’s services and are now requiring support from adult services. 

• • Adults aged around 50 who are transferring from receiving informal family support to requiring formal support from adult social care.  

• • Adults aged 65 and over who are currently receiving support through adult social care services and require a change in support or are transferred to services for older people (for example, transitioning to a nursing or residential care home). 

​AIMS​

This project aims to explore: 

​METHODS

The methods include:

• • A rapid review of the national literature to identify specific gaps in the evidence. 

• • Three focus groups involving health and social care professionals working within the transition teams across social and health care, who support adults with a moderate or severe learning disability as they transition between services. 

• • Three focus groups involving adults with a moderate or severe learning disability who are transitioning between services and their family carers. Each focus group will involve adults with a learning disability and family carers for each transition period.

• • Analyses of local authority administrative data and NHS data on community health services.