Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support people with learning difficulties when transitioning from children services to adult services.

The Government recognises the challenges young people with learning difficulties and their families can face when they transition between children and adult services.

The Children and Families Act 2014 and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Code of Practice require local authorities and partners to begin preparation for adulthood from Year 9 onwards through person-centred Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP). Separately, the Care Act 2014 places duties on local authorities to identify young people likely to need adult care and support, coordinate with EHCP processes, and ensure continuity of support so that no young person experiences a gap in care when moving into adulthood.

We are working across Government to improve support for young people with learning difficulties as they transition to adulthood. The Government’s SEND reforms emphasise early identification and intervention, alongside stronger preparation for adulthood through better transition planning, employment opportunities, independent living skills, and community participation. We have also launched a joint project to improve transitions into adult social care, including national best practice guidance and training to help staff provide high-quality, coordinated support.