Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Health to detail any steps that are being taken to support people with learning difficulties when transitioning from childrens’ services to adult services.
Minister of Health: My Department has worked with Health and Social Care Trusts and other stakeholders to develop a Draft Regional Transition Protocol for Children and Young People with a Learning Disability, including those individuals with co-occurring autism, transitioning from Children’s to Adult Services. Confirmation of funding will support a pilot of the draft protocol to inform regional implementation. A Transition Template has been developed and is already operational in Health and Social Care Trusts to enhance transition planning for children and young people with a learning disability, including those with co-occurring autism from Children’s to Adult Services.
It is acknowledged that people with a learning difficulty may present with a variety of different needs, requiring varying levels of support. My Department is progressing the development of the Health and Social Care Children and Young People’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing (EHWB) Framework, which is intended to provide a consistent, system-wide approach to emotional health and wellbeing support for children and young people, including those with neurodevelopmental conditions and other additional needs.
The Framework has been co-produced with a wide range of stakeholders. Consultation feedback has highlighted the importance of accessible support for families and carers, early intervention, improved service navigation and stronger collaboration across health, education and community services. The analysis of consultation responses has helped inform the final Framework and future service development, with the aim of improving emotional health and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people and strengthening support available to their families and carers.
Within Adult Services, as a key element of the delivery of the Autism Strategy, my Department appointed in February 2025 a Project Lead for Adult Autism Services to better understand the population, pathways, presenting need and to further develop supports and services across the region. My Department is aware of a cohort of autistic children that can present with comparable levels of vulnerability to children with learning disabilities and may require continued support throughout adulthood. Further scoping is being planned with Trust Adult Autism leads as part of the review of the existing Adult Autism Care Pathway to better understand this group’s specific needs.
Any future service development arising from this work will be subject to funding availability. In the interim, Trusts will continue to use a ‘Best Fit approach’ to meet assessed needs and determine which Programme of Care is most appropriate to support individuals, including those with learning difficulties, based on presenting need.
A 14-week public consultation on the draft Learning Disability Service Model closed on 25 November 2025. The Service Model proposes a new approach to supporting adults with a learning disability; 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. Delivery of the ambitions outlined within the Service Model will be subject to funding being made available to my Department.
ENDS
