Abstract

This book demonstrates very clearly how the personalisation of support and services works in practice. The authors describe how Jennie, a young person with autism and learning difficulties, was supported through the transition from school to living independently using simple, evidence-based person-centred planning tools. Jennie's story illustrates the importance of quality person-centred reviews, dispels the many myths surrounding Individual Service Funds and personal budgets and demonstrates how families, schools and other agencies can work collaboratively to help young people with disabilities move into adulthood with more choice and control over their lives, and with better life prospects. Practical pointers for readers to apply to their own circumstances are included, and the book contains helpful examples of the key person-centred thinking tools.

Anyone involved in supporting children and young people with disabilities as they approach adulthood, including parents and carers, SENCOs, teachers, social workers and service providers, will find this to be essential reading. More generally, it will be an informative resource for those seeking a better understanding of how personalisation and person-centred planning work in practice.

This book is intended for anyone involved in supporting young people with disabilities as they approach adulthood.
Autism eye
Suzie Franklin is the mother of Jennie, a young woman with autism and learning difficulties. She works in the voluntary sector, helping other families of children and young adults with autism to advocate for themselves and learn about their rights and entitlements. She has run training and parent workshops on a variety of topics related to autism, and is an advocate of person-centred planning. She runs training on person-centred thinking tools to help families, local authorities and other agencies provide better support and services for people with disabilities. Helen Sanderson is CEO of Helen Sanderson Associates and Director Emeritus of the International Community for Person-Centred Practices. She has been closely-involved in the development of person-centred thinking and planning in the UK over the last 15 years, and has written extensively on person-centred thinking, planning, community building and Individual Service Funds. She is the author of A Practical Guide to Delivering Personalisation, Creating Person-Centred Organisations and Personalisation and Dementia, all published by JKP.
This is clearly going to be a useful - and inspiring - resource for anyone wishing to support a person they care for to live the life they choose. What I like about it is that it goes beyond the rhetoric of personalisation to make it a reality by showing how those who know the person best can come up with creative and innovative solutions to overcome some of the barriers traditional thinking might put in the way of progress. The 'Circle of Support' is a particularly powerful idea.
Mark Lever, Chief Executive, National Autistic Society
This is a much-needed resource for families and professionals and is especially helpful at a time when people are considering the implications and opportunities relating to the new SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) system set out in the Children and Families Bill... One of the top ten Preparing for Adulthood messages is that local areas should "raise aspirations for a fulfilling life, by sharing clear information about what has already worked for others". Thank you Jennie, Suzie, Helen and Jennie's circle for sharing your experiences. This book will help local areas achieve this and ensure other young people and families have positive experiences of moving into adulthood and better life chances.
from the foreword by Nicola Gitsham, Programme Manager, Preparing for Adulthood
As President of The Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS) for the year 2013/14, I have been privileged to work closely with a number of key people in central government departments, with colleagues across the voluntary and independent sectors and with other local authorities. There is enormous commitment across the country, at all levels, to bring about a culture change in the way we identify strengths and needs, and provide support to children with additional needs and their families. Suzie's story reinforces my view that significant change should and can happen, and we must make it happen.
from the afterword by Andrew Webb, President of The Association of Directors of Children's Services Ltd (ADCS) and Corporate Director, Services for People, Stockport Council