The following was written by Jake’s children’s social worker.

Jake is 17 years old and I have been working with him and his family since he was 11 years old. Because of Jake’s educational, health and care needs he has been attending a residential school since he was 12 years old. Jake sees his dad and sister every weekend when they come to visit him, often going out for the day. Jake has had a worker from the Preparing for Adulthood Team since Jake was 16. We have worked together with Jake, his dad and Jake’s support team from his school to plan for his future.

Jake plans to remain at his school to complete his sixth form education. He would then like to return to the area where his family lives and continue to develop skills in independent living and using technology.

Jake’s Preparing for Adulthood worker has talked to Jake, his family and others who know him well to find out what will be important for Jake when he leaves school. We're working together to think about who Jake would like to live with, what he would like to spend his time doing and how he would like to be supported. During Jake’s final year at school, his timetable will include time spent in the environments he will be moving on to when he leaves school, so that he can become familiar with the changes over a time frame that he is comfortable with.