Transition to Adult Services
Many councils have set up Direct Payments boards or steering groups which are responsible for the implementation and monitoring of Direct Payments across all client groups. These boards or steering groups have taken on the role of ensuring continuity between children and adult services.
A number of issues need to be discussed and resolved in order to ensure a smooth transition to adult services.
- In order for the same personal assistant to be employed by a young person moving into adulthood rates of pay need to be comparable between the two sectors within the same council.
- Eligibility criteria need to be consistent across the council. One of the issues raised in this regard is the support of young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders, particularly Aspergers Syndrome. Young People with Aspergers may be eligible for a service and therefore eligible to receive a Direct Payment whilst under the age of 18 years, however, eligibility criteria in adult services may mean that they are no longer eligible to receive services from the council.
- The issue of children and young people with profound and multiple disibilities continuing to receive Direct Payments as adults is an issue which remains unclear and is often left to the interpretation of local councils wity regards to consent. Souncils should explore the feasibility of setting up user trusts or trust funds to enable a young person to continue to receive Direct Payments.
Trust funds have been used to enable individuals with cognitive impairments or learning disabilities to use Direct Payments. The Procedure Guide from Hampshre County Council provides the following information on trust funds:
'A trust is a legal structure and consists of a number of trustees, chosen by the disabled person. A trust deed sets out the rules and regulations about how money should be spent and any other financial arrangements to govern it.'
Information from a publication provided by the national Children's Bureau - 'direct experience' by Jeanne Carlin and Christine Lenehan 2004
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