Preparation for Adulthood and CTLD Front door Team (16+)

What is PfA?

Preparation for Adulthood describes the process of moving from childhood into adult life. Our team seeks to ensure that young people aged 16-25 with physical or learning disabilities have targeted support to meet their aspirations. The focus is around 4 areas; Employment, Independent Living, Community Inclusion and Health. We understand that the needs of each individual are different and we work alongside young people so that they have a say on what they want for their future.

For information on what Annual Reviews should include from Year 9 and the different routes into employment, please take a look at our co-produced Preparation for Adulthood Pathway here.

Who are the PfA and CTLD Front Door Team?

The team are made up of Social Workers, Community Care Officers and Occupational Therapists. The team is motivated and committed to work together with young people and adults, their families, carers and other partners to ensure they have equal opportunities. The team is split into 4 areas; South, East, West and Keighley, each including Social Workers supporting both children and adults. This enables us to have a better understanding, knowledge and relationships with the services in each area. We also have a dedicated Duty Team who work with young people for up to 6 months to provide short term support to enable them to be more independent.

What people told us they want from PfA:

“To be afforded the same opportunities as everyone else. To live the life you want; with your hopes, dreams and ambitions being seen. To be able to find employment and develop meaningful relationships and ultimately live the life you want”

PfA Vocational Profiles "Getting it Right"

Vocational profiles are a tool which support young people (particularly from year 9 on-wards)  to gather their views, interests, skills and aspirations, with a view to giving them the best opportunities to prepare for adulthood. This vocational profile has been jointly developed by social workers and High Park school in Bradford and been shared with other special schools in Bradford to help them develop the best tools to prepare young people for adulthood. These are also used in conjunction with social workers at crucial points of transition for young people such as 'leaving school' or 'leaving college'.  A well thought out and detailed vocational profile can support young people with disabilities to achieve their aspirations such as; having an active social life, achieving independent living or travel, managing their own money or reaching important education milestones and/or employment opportunities.

The Team's Criteria

The service will work with people whose needs cannot be met by non-specialist services because; even with reasonable adjustments, their learning disability prevents this.

People who are ordinary resident in BMDC assessed as having a learning disability.

Access to the PFA and CTLD service will be based on formal diagnostic criteria as follows:

•    Significant impairment of intellectual functioning
•    Significant impairment of adaptive/social functioning
•    Age of onset in early childhood.
•    A profound physical disability*

All three criteria must be met for a person to be considered to have a learning disability and meet criteria for the PFA/CTLD service.

*Those with profound physical disability will be supported during transition and transferred to the physical disabilities team upon review following EHCP ceasing.

•    The person attends or previously attended a school for children with profound, severe to moderate learning disabilities

•    The person has a specific diagnosis or syndrome usually associated with profound, severe to moderate learning disabilities.

•    The person has already had an assessment, which indicated a profound, severe or moderate learning disability.

If the person has reached aged 16 without support from LD services the referrer will need to be very clear why the person cannot have their needs met by mainstream services.

If the person’s specific need is not related to their Learning Disability (with the exception of profound physical disability) then this need should be met by mainstream services/generic team. A decision will be made on referrals made on an individual’s presenting need; ensuring the most appropriate service is offered. This is in line with Care Act regulations. 

Finding out more about the PFA and CTLD Front Door team:

Any referrals or enquiries can be made to the duty team on 01274 435400

You can also follow our twitter page for updates and information - @PFAteambradford