Making a difference: better support for young people with complex support needs

The East Midlands ADASS Learning Disability and Autism Community of Practice workshop today was a really constructive chance to bring together the insights from Phases 1 and 2 of our regional high‑cost, complex cases project. Phase 1 gave us a clear picture of activity, costs, and market pressures across the region, while Phase 2 added the voices and experiences of young people and families. Hearing these side by side helped build a shared understanding of where the system is working well and where it needs to evolve.

The session also helped us start shaping the focus for Phase 3, which will look at how we strengthen and develop the market to better support young people with complex needs. Colleagues identified several areas where further exploration could make a real difference, including accommodation pathways, strengths‑based practice, community health support, co‑production, and closer collaboration with providers. This work will now be taken forward through a Task and Finish Group to develop a clear and practical specification for the next stage