Fly

Young people with support needs face a ‘cliff edge’ at 18 when children’s services can disappear and adults’ services don’t always step up. Children’s services have often provided continuity for disabled children and their families, who can build up good relationships with professionals: the move to adults’ services can feel like starting again with a whole new rule book – and often much less public money to draw on. It’s heartbreaking to see people sinking for lack of good support, just when their lives should be taking off.

Few of us magically become independent at 18, so it’s a mystery why we expect young disabled people to reach that cliff edge and fly.

For most of us, building independence goes most smoothly when we have solid foundations: lasting relationships with people who love us. This new film from the Social Care Institute for Excellence shows how Shared Lives carers Lindsay and Mark are helping Kurtis to build on his many strengths as he becomes an independent adult.