Our new report explores how to improve support for young people and their loved ones as they prepare for adulthood. The report sets out practical recommendations that could help young people get the support they need to live well and stay in control.
Why this work is important
Every young person deserves the chance to live a good life, with the right support, at the right time, in a way that works for them. But too often, young people who draw on care and support and family and friend carers face a confusing and uncertain time when the young person reaches adulthood and starts accessing adult social care.
At TLAP, we wanted to understand what matters most to young people and their loved ones during this time. We heard clearly that people want to stay in control, understand their rights, and have consistent, person-centred support. This report shares what we learned and what needs to change.
What we did
This work was co-produced from the start. We held online workshops with family and friend carers, listening to stories about what works and what doesn’t. We used those insights to shape a national online survey, co-produced with members of the National Co-production Advisory Group.
We also spoke to people and organisations doing similar work, reviewed recent examples of good practice, and explored how self-directed support and person-centred planning are being used.
What we heard
The stories, survey responses and conversations painted a clear picture. People told us about:
- The emotional and practical strain of navigating disjointed care and support.
- How difficult it can be to find clear, consistent information.
- The importance of peer support and networks.
- The need for empathy and a joined-up approach between children’s and adults’ services.
- Why good planning must start early and always include the young person.
Above all, people said they wanted to feel in control, supported by people who know their rights and work with them, not around them.
What needs to change
We’ve heard many of these messages before, so this report pulls together the most important things that need to change to make preparation for adulthood a much more human experience for young people and family and friend carers.
From better planning and clearer information, to giving every young person the chance to direct their own support, the report shares ideas that come from lived experience and can be put into practice.
This report should be a starting point, not the end. It calls for co-produced, long-term change that’s properly resourced and rooted in what matters most to young people and their loved ones.
We hope this report will help decision-makers, practitioners, and commissioners listen, learn and take action.
Sarah Holmes, TLAP Associate who led this work, says:
“For decades now, similar messages have been echoed by young people and family and friend carers navigating the social care system to try and achieve good support that helps them to lead their lives in a way that makes sense. The beauty of this report is that it is anchored upon those voices and the recommendations for action are rooted in logical ideas which have evolved from listening and thinking together.
We need to keep listening and acting. We have a wonderful opportunity to work together on something new, driven by authentic co-production, building on these conversations and thinking about good care and support for the whole of life, benefitting whole families and whole communities.”
Explore more
To read the full report visit our resource library.
