Is a young person under 25 considered more vulnerable if has ASD?

[questionautism]

I understand you can get an EHCP for under 25 so does that mean in general anyone with ND is considered somewhat more vulnerable/in need of support?

Or is it on an individual basis ? Do you have to have something legal in place such as an EHCP or some kind of capacity assessment done to prove the person has more vulnerability?

Im dealing with a situation with an 18-25 year old with ND (but no learning difficulty and no EHCP or had any assessment done to show lacks capacity ) but is in a situation where I feel they are vulnerable and those vulnerabilities exploited by someone much older in a position of authority over them (sorry can’t give more details)

Can anyone direct me to anything that would help me work out where this stands legally?

Getting an EHCP is a long drawn out process and only really relevant to educational settings.

You might be better off contacting adult social services: report the situation as a vulnerable adult at risk of abuse, explain your concerns.

Or contacting the organisation involved - are you concerned about a boss for example?

I just wasn’t sure if 25 was some kind of significant cut off for being classed as vulnerable. Yes a boss but can’t say more due to confidentiality

What are your concerns? Financial, sexual emotional, physical Abuse/neglect? Agree with @Desmondhasabarrow refer to adulT services who can take necessary steps if needed.

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/employment/what-support-can-i-get-at-work#:~:text=You%20have%20rights%20as%20an,adjustments%20and%20Access%20to%20Work.

25 is the cut off for EHCP but not for vulnerability

Thanks I will refer to adult social services

I think overall someone with autism will be more vulnerable than a peer of the same age. The nature of autism means that the person will struggle with social interactions which will make most more vulnerable.

but it needs to be taken on a case by case basis. Some will be a lot more vulnerable than others

just thinking @questionautism are they at work or in education?

Work

Unless they’re there on a training element I don’t think ehcp is relevant? But definitely contact social services with your concerns.

I probably didn’t explain it well. I just meant that I’d read about EHCP can be till 25 so wondered was there a general rule that 25 is some kind of cut off for being classed as more vulnerable?

They are more vulnerable by nature of their disability. Their age has nothing to do with it.

Exactly this. People can be vulnerable at any age.

Yes you’re right. I think I was just concerned due to their age and being so young in comparison to how much older the person I have concerns about is. I’ve referred to social services so hopefully they will do any necessary investigations/safeguarding.