What happens when DC leaves school?

[Moodidoodi]

Hi all, I’m getting ahead of myself here, as DC is only 10. But what happens when they leave school? DC has a severe learning disability - unable to do anything at all for themselves or communicate in any way. Ideally we’d have a carer full-time at home. Does anyone have a full-time carer for their adult children paid by the LA? Alternatively I’ve heard a care home might be offered but there are no LD care homes near us, so wondering whether we need to consider moving perhaps

Presumably DC has an EHCP? If so, it can continue with provision until 25 and in some cases 26.

Depending on individual needs social care support &/or continuing healthcare funding is available. The type and how much will depend on individual circumstances - there are various possibilities e.g. it could be at home (part of full time), at day centres, residential.

Have you had social care assessments and looked at continuing care funding for now?

Thank you for the reply! We have an EHCP so good to know it continues until 25 (though now I’m wondering what happens after that :-)) We have annual assessments and get direct payments just for occasional respite, but not continuing care funding so I’ll need to look into that. I’m really massively struggling now so just trying to make sure that everything is as sorted as it can be. Thanks again

You could look at pushing for regular respite now. Not only will it ease the load on you now, building it up gradually over years allows both you and DD to slowly become accustomed to it.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply- will see if we can increase it

If someone had of given me advice when dc was 10 I would want it to be to look to move him to an appropriate setting (esp if residential looks appropriate) that goes to 25 around 13 years old as they are in some areas gold dust, especially if challenging behaviour sets in once it’s transition period time(16) it can be a huge fight. His SLD school who was meant to take him till 19 told us at 15 it was no longer viable. We’re still fighting for a place anywhere. When he has had carers as respite he’s at least 2:1, 3:1 in community they barely last 3 session. At 10 he was a breeze.