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Transition support from your local authority

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Transition support from your local authority

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Each local authority has a duty to provide support to families when children with additional needs transition from childhood to adulthood. You can learn more about your young person's rights from Scottish Transitions Forum.

The Transition Team in Edinburgh is a specialist, dedicated adult social work team supporting young people with disabilities and their families with the move from school and children’s services, to adult life.

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Scottish Through Care and After Care Forum (Staf) has developed the REAL toolkit to provide information and support to care experienced young people who are reaching adulthood. It has information on a range of topics from employment and finances to mental health. There is also information for organisations and professionals on the importance of relational practice.

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When your son or daughter reaches 16, there are a number of options available to continue their development and education. These include:

staying on at school

leaving school to work

employment training

further or higher education

receiving community care services.

Families should receive transition support to decide which is the best option and to put the plan into action.

Enquire can offer advice and support on this topic if your child has additional needs.

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Skills Development Scotland (SDS): advice for all ages

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Skills Development Scotland (SDS): advice for all ages

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All state schools and most special schools in Edinburgh have an SDS Adviser so if your young person is still in school, they should contact their school Careers Adviser in the first instance.

SDS is an all-age guidance service, so if the young person has left school, they can still access this services at any of the local offices. https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/centres/

SDS also have a dedicated section for parents/carers on their website: https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/parents-carers

This is useful link for the range of post school opportunities available: https://youngpersonsguarantee.scot/youngpersons-hub

There are some pre recorded webinars available, eg this one focuses on post school options.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xrDsg0uLhI&list=PL4YvCbmqHvLHHETgavKzSJFJckqS9uT_8&index=6

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Care experienced and heading to college or university in Edinburgh?

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Care experienced and heading to college or university in Edinburgh?

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Within Edinburgh support and advice is available to care experienced young people entering college and university through the Hub for Success. The Hub can offer individualised advice on pathways to education, entry into education and helping you complete your course successfully.

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University: help with accommodation costs

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University: help with accommodation costs

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Certain universities in the UK have partnered with The Unite Foundation to offer scholarships to care experienced young people to cover the cost of accommodation and bills whilst at university. See their website for more info
https://thisisusatuni.org/unite-foundation-scholarship/#tell-me-more

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You can search for employability and development opportunities using the Joined Up For Jobs Directory. Use the filter to search for relevant opportunities.

Employability Matters is part of the #E Project run by Adoption UK Scotland, providing one to one and group support for all things employability. This includes:

Developing CVs and Cover Letters

Effective job searching

Personal Development

Career Guidance and information

Social Media and Employability

Sessions are informal and interactive, using a variety of methods to encourage young people to explore their own employability in a nurturing and safe environment. For more information contact fiona.morrison@adoptionuk.org.uk

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If your son or daughter plans to go to college or university and has been in care or 'looked-after' at any stage of their life, no matter how short (e.g. prior to adoption) they are entitled to apply for the Care Experienced Students Bursary (CESB). Slightly different application processes are followed by those attending Higher Education and those attending Further Education and studying below Higher National Certificate (HNC) level.

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You may not think of your son or daughter as 'disabled' but if they need help over and above what would be expected for one of their peers, then you may qualify for disability benefits or tax credits. These take account of the additional costs associated with living with an impairment or long term condition.

Excellent information on financial entitlements is available for parents of disabled children and adults through Contact a Family.

If you are in Lothian and your son or daughter has a learning disability you can get advice about benefits, grants and other supports from  FAIR (Family Advice and Information Resource).

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Neurological differences are more common amongst children and young people who've experienced adversity. These differences include being autistic, experiencing ADHD or being impacted by FASD.

Differences may be apparent early in your child's development or may become more prominent in the teens as school and relationships become more challenging.

If you suspect your child or young person has a neurological difference you can discuss this with your GP and ask for a referral for a neurodevelopmental assessment.

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You may also find it valuable to read or listen to some of the amazing advocates who share their knowledge and insights gained from their own lived experience. Below are some links to social media pages and podcasts.

https://www.facebook.com/nopressurepda

https://www.facebook.com/TraumaGeek

PAST - Positive Assessments Support and Training - is led by an autistic woman and provides online training focusing on education https://www.facebook.com/LauraKerbeyPast

Missing the Mark - Eliza is a blogger and parent of an autistic child. She uses illustrations to get across her messages about experiences and needs  https://www.facebook.com/MissingTheMark1

Neurodive is led by a man with adhd who supports professionals and parents of ND children https://www.facebook.com/neurodivetraining

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Organisations with knowledge of neurodivergence

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Organisations with knowledge of neurodivergence

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You may find it helpful to read some of the information available from organisations with expertise in neurological differences by following the links below
FASD Hub Scotland
PASDA (Lothians)
PDA Society (UK)

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Negotiating online relationships and safety

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Negotiating online relationships and safety

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The Young Scot website has a number of resources about online relationships and safety aimed at young people that may be suitable for your young people:

https://young.scot/get-informed/national/seven-tips-for-staying-safe-when-chatting-online https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/sexting
https://young.scot/get-informed/national/how-to-remove-unwanted-images-of-yourself-online
https://young.scot/get-informed/national/thatsnotok-online-relationships-safety
https://young.scot/get-informed/national/safe-sexting
https://young.scot/get-informed/national/be-smart-internet-safety-resources
https://young.scot/get-informed/inverclyde/listen-to-your-alerts

CEOP has sections for parents, young people and professionals. The National Crime Agency's CEOP Education team aim to help protect children and young people from online child sexual abuse. They do this through our education programme, providing training, resources and information to professionals working with children, young people and their families.
CEOP Education (thinkuknow.co.uk) |

The Childline website also has useful pages
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/

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Information about sexuality and sexual wellbeing resources can be found at:
https://www.brook.org.uk |
https://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/groups-and-support/
https://www.parentclub.scot/topics/online-safety
https://www.relate.org.uk/relationship-help/help-family-life-and-parenting/parenting-teenagers/sex-and-relationships/i-think-my-teenager-having-underage-sex

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Adoption UK’s Psychology and Therapy Hub (previously known as TESSA) offers online trauma-informed therapeutic support for adoptive families across the UK. Delivered by psychologists, therapists and peer experts-by-experience, this gives PATH a unique blend of theoretical, clinical and peer support.

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The ILF (Independent Living Fund) Transition Fund provides up to £4000 for 1 year to any young disabled person aged 16-25 and living in Scotland in order to try new experiences.

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If your son or daughter plans to go to college or university and has been in care or 'looked-after' at any stage of their life, no matter how short (e.g. prior to adoption) they are entitled to apply for the Care Experienced Students Bursary (CESB). Slightly different application processes are followed by those attending Higher Education and those attending Further Education and studying below Higher National Certificate (HNC) level.

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Edinburgh & lothians Transition and Adult Services Additional support needs is a private Facebook group providing peer support to parents whose children are transitioning from child to adult services in Lothian

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Support groups for neurodivergent people and their families

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Support groups for neurodivergent people and their families

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There are a number of online support groups for neurodivergent people and their families or carers.

Ausome Families & Carers in Edinburgh & Lothian

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1848190148824351/permalink/3279106405732711/

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The Potato Group is a UK based group of parents who have adopted children from the care system in the past 20+ years and who provide mutual support and guidance
https://thepotatogroup.org.uk

Al Coates and Scott Casson Rennie co-host the Adoption and Fostering Podcast which is a great source of information and a place for adopters and carers to gather.

https://adoptionandfostering.podbean.com/

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Bessel Van Der Kolk’s book, The Body Keeps the Score is an excellent accessible book on the topic of developmental trauma

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Body-Keeps-Score-Transformation-Trauma/dp/0141978619/ref=asc_df_0141978619/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310865071345&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=461443042030462780&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007326&hvtargid=pla-452579060347&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

He also has various videos on YouTube that are very informative.

Beacon House is a therapeutic service working with developmental trauma. They have some great resources at https://beaconhouse.org.uk/resources/

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The main approach promoted to help families dealing with CPV is called Non-Violent Resistance (NVR). Adoption UK runs regular training events on this topic.

Check out the work of Sarah Fisher who writes and provides training in this area. You can find an introductory book at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Connective-Parenting-guide-connecting-Approach/dp/1546718702

Al Coates is a social worker and adopter who has taken a particular interest in CPV. His Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/MoaAdoptiveDad and webpage is http://www.alcoates.co.uk

His research report on CPV can be found at https://www.academia.edu/37078253/Lets_Talk_About_Child_to_Parent_Violence_2018_Summary

He also co-hosts the Adoption and Fostering Podcast with Scott Casson Rennie. Some of their previous podcast have focused on CPV.

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Consent can be a difficult concept for some young people so these resources may be helpful:
https://young.scot/campaigns/national/consent
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQbei5JGiT8

If your child is autistic or has a learning disability they may find social stories helpful. Some examples below:
https://paautism.org/resource/consensual-touch-social-story/
http://livingwellwithautism.com/how_to_use_social_stories/social_stories-behaviors

There was a helpful podcast from FASD Success Show about helping young people who display inappropriate sexual behaviours:
https://www.fasdsuccess.com/blog/podcast-episode-094

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If your young person is disabled, they can make use of the support available through the Independent Living Fund.

Check out the Transition Fund that helps young disabled person aged 16-25 try new activities and experiences that will help them:

become more engaged and active in their community

enhance their independence and confidence

help them to spend more time with other people

https://ilf.scot/transition-fund/

There is also a technology grant to help tackle digital isolation
https://ilf.scot/transition-fund/technology-grant/

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If your children need significant support as they move towards adulthood, you may begin to think of yourself as a parent carer. There are some advantages to identifying as a carer as well as a parent as this means you are entitled to support in this role. The Local Authority has a statutory responsibility to assess your needs as a carer.

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If your child has a disability or long-term health condition then you are likely to require additional help with family life. The Social Work department of your local authority has a duty to assess the needs of your child. This is called a Section 23 Assessment, which refers to the relevant section of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.

The type of support provided varies from one local authority to another but is likely to include getting a break from caring, equipment and adaptations for your home and access to practical assistance and advice in your caring role.

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Accessing your local carers' association

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Accessing your local carers' association

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In Edinburgh and Midlothian the local carers' association is called Vocal. They provide advice, support and training to anyone in a caring role.

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If you care for 30+ hours per week you may want to Join Carefree https://carefreespace.org/. For a £25 admin fee you get access to a list of hotels where you can request a one or two night stay with breakfast at no cost. You can take a friend but can’t take the person you care for so will need to have alternative care arrangements in place.

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Local membership group led by autistic adults

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Local membership group led by autistic adults

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AMASE- Autistic Mutual Aid Society Edinburgh is an Autistic People's Organisation based in Edinburgh. All full members are autistic, and AMAZE's goal is to help autistic people to make each other’s lives better through community events and peer support, advocacy and education.

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If you are concerned about your young person's drug use, you can seek advice and support from specialist agencies.

Drugfam is an agency that helps those affected by a family member taking drugs. They also provide support to families experiencing harmful alcohol use or gambling. You can call the helpline on 0300 888 3853

Frank provides drug-related information and support including an A-Z of all illegal substances. They also give you advice on  how to speak to your children about drugs. Telephone 0300 1236600.

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When your child reaches 16 or leaves full-time education they are entitled to financial help independent of parental income and can apply for Universal Credit. This can be a complex area and we advise you to take advice from specialists in this area.

FAIR is an Edinburgh based charity that offers benefits advice to adults with any sort of learning disability and parents of children with autism or learning disabilities.

Number 6, the Edinburgh one-stop-shop for autistic adults also provides welfare advice.

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Venture Trust provides outdoor-based, personal development opportunities for young adults aged 16-30 to promote mental wellbeing.

Employability Matters is part of the #E Project run by Adoption UK Scotland, providing one to one and group support for all things employability. This includes:

Developing CVs and Cover Letters

Effective job searching

Personal Development

Career Guidance and information

Social Media and Employability

Sessions are informal and interactive, using a variety of methods to encourage young people to explore their own employability in a nurturing and safe environment. For more information contact fiona.morrison@adoptionuk.org.uk