To ask the Minister of Health to detail how the new Learning Disability Service Model will work alongside the SEN Reform Agenda and Delivery Plan

The SEN Reform Delivery Plan commits to a Transitional Support Programme at various stages of a learner’s journey. This includes cross-departmental working to develop appropriate pathways into adulthood for school leavers with SEN. Health and Social Care will have a more active role for children with SEN that also have a learning disability. It is recognised that the wider SEN population will likely transition into a range of non-HSC services, such as further education and supported employment.

My Department is currently consulting on the draft Learning Disability Service Model (LDSM). The Model proposes a new approach to supporting adults with a learning disability through Health and Social Care services in Northern Ireland. It sets out the key outcomes we want to achieve, the principles that will guide delivery, and the actions needed to improve services across the system.

The 5-year SEN Delivery Plan aligns to the LDSM on areas including:

Person-centred approach

Transitions from school into adulthood.

Improved inter-agency working, collaboration and sharing best practice to support those with disabilities.

Expansion of community-based Day Opportunities.

The LDSM has several key actions to improving transitions over the next 3 years. One of the key ambitions within the service model is for people supported with learning disabilities, who need specialised health and social care, to receive a lifelong, coordinated transitions program tailored to their needs.

A final draft of the Transitions Protocol has been completed including an Easy Read version and following a pilot, a new database for tracking young people transitioning to adult services has been rolled out across all regions. There are also plans within the model to introduce a Transition Link Worker within each Health and Social Care Trust, to support quality and robustness in this area of work.