Young people ‘forced to battle’ to get the care they need

Children with complex health needs are losing support when they move into adult services, with some describing it as ‘like falling off a cliff edge’. 

Research from the Independent Expert Panel found poor communication between the NHS and councils was leaving young people in limbo, with some services stopping when they reached 16 or 18. 

Professor Dame Jane Dacre, chair of the panel, said: ‘There should be straightforward processes to take young people from one set of services to another.

‘Far from it, one young person we interviewed described the support ending at 18 as ‘like falling off a cliff edge’. It was shocking to see how continuity crumbles and vulnerable young people are forced to battle for the support they need.

‘The lack of data and trained staff also indicate how overlooked this problem is, how the state’s support lacks someone with a bird’s eye view that can join dots and make them work in young people’s best interests.’

The panel also found planning for the move into adult care didn’t always start by Year 9, when children are between 13 and 14, as recommended. 

And the age at which support ends can vary considerably. Some young people continue to get help until they’re 25, but others lose access much sooner. 

The report, which can be read in full here, found families aren’t always involved in decisions about care, while young people with additional needs could face further difficulties getting the right help.

It called for services to work more closely together and for support to be based on individual needs rather than age.

The evaluation was commissioned by the Health and Social Care Committee, which will now use the findings to produce recommendations for the government. 

Image: engin akyurt/UnSplash

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