Help End the Cliff Edge for Young People with Learning Disabilities

For too many families, this transition is not an exciting time full of opportunity, it’s a ‘cliff edge’, where the support young people rely on suddenly drops away. Gaps between children’s and adults’ services, poor coordination, and a lack of planning often leave families feeling isolated, exhausted, and unsure where to turn.

We’re demanding change

Together with the CBF, we’re urging the Department for Education, Department of Health, and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to take meaningful action by:

• Creating a national, cross-departmental plan for transition, co-produced by young people with SEND and their families.
• Introducing a named Transition Coordinator to make sure support is person-centred, ambitious, and truly joined up.
• Amending the Care Act 2014 so that transition planning must begin at age 14, working collaboratively across education, health, and housing.

This is about focusing on what’s possible, not just what’s available – and ensuring every young person with a learning disability can move into adulthood with confidence and the right support around them.

Open letter

Together with The Challenging Behaviour Foundation, we have written an open letter to MPs, calling for urgent action to improve the transition to adulthood for young people with a learning disability. We have also developed a young person-friendly version of the letter to help young people understand the campaign and have their voices heard.