Planning for the future

Scenario

William, 53, lives with his mother Elsie, 82. William has Down’s syndrome and a mild learning disability. Elsie is worried about how William will cope when she dies. William wants to continue living in the family home. He would also like to learn how to fish and to visit Blackpool on holiday.

Action

William’s social worker refers to guidance on the care and support of people growing older with learning disabilities in a review meeting with William and Elsie. They use this as a basis for starting to discuss and create a future plan with William.

Further guidance

The guidance includes information about person-centred planning for the future, involving family and carers if appropriate, and considering needs such as housing and future wishes.

Relevant resources

Guidelines

• Learning disabilities and behaviour that challenges - service design and delivery guideline

• Challenging behaviour and learning disabilities - prevention and interventions guideline

• Care and support of people growing older with learning disabilities guideline

• Transition from children’s to adults’ services guideline

• Decision-making and mental capacity guideline

• Mental health problems in people with learning disabilities guideline

• Autism spectrum disorder in under 19s guideline

• Autism spectrum disorder in adults guideline

Quality standards

• Learning disability and behaviour that challenges quality standard

• Transition from children’s to adults’ services quality standard

• Learning disability: identifying and managing mental health problems quality standard

• Autism quality standard