(Richmond - information from Achieving for Children). There is a new portal of information is on the Richmond council website to help young people and the people they are supported by understand what is involved when moving from children’s to adult services. This includes a helpful video narrated by young people who have gone through the transition period, as well as contact information of the teams, and people that you are likely to come across during the transitions journey.

The information is linked from the SEND Local Offer website under the preparing for Adulthood section 

This new Ruils service aims to support disabled young people in or approaching transitions years and their families. If your young person is aged 16-25, or even 14 or 15, and you are wondering what’s going to change and how in their education/employment, social care, medical and health, social activities, Bright Futures can help.

 

Bright Futures runs workshops on relevant topics; has information to send out to you; can meet with you – in person, zoom or phone; runs focused parent groups. All aimed to give you the information you need to support your young person in the next few years.

  

Sue Robson and RUILS run the ‘Bright Futures’ programme to help people in Richmond with SEND transitions.

Adult Social Care and Direct Payments

Adult social care for disabled young people is very different to disabled children's social care - your young person may not have met the criteria for disabled children's social care but they may be eligible for a social care package in adult social care. This workshop is about eligible needs, how they are assessed, preparing for assessment and the outcomes. They will also look at how Direct Payments work when you are an adult.

Please get in touch with Sue Robson, at suerobson@ruils.co.uk or call 07508 530693.

Richmond Mencap organises children and young people's sessions on Sundays, in the holidays, as well as running Energise Days over the half term. For older young people there is Wii and Pizza sessions, the Meeting Place (social club) and The People Hive also provide activities. See their website for further info: https://richmondmencap.org.uk/whatwedo/whatwedo/ or email: office@richmondmencap.org.uk 

This programme offers a number of different pathways within the creative arts industry and will enable learners to make new friends, gain some independence, and try new things. Supported will also be offered in communication, mobility, digital skills, employability skills and more. 

This programme is based in New Malden, Sutton, and other areas. You must be aged 19+ to apply. 

Applicants with an active EHCP will need to ask their Local Authority to consult with Orchard Hill College. Applicants without an EHCP must be in receipt of benefits and not be in full-time employment to qualify for funding.  Find out more here: https://workstart.me.uk/courses/into-work/

Are you aged between 16 and 25? Are you autistic? 

If the answer is yes then join the new Ambitious Youth Network, a UK-wide online platform for autistic young people from Ambitious about Autism.

The network is a safe and moderated online space designed to help you understand your autistic identity and connect with others!

On the platform you will be able to:

• apply for upcoming paid opportunities  

• sign up and access peer support sessions 

• receive updates from groups and panels  

• instant message other Youth Network members

• access a live feed of information.

Join now! https://bit.ly/3MzZN3a