Transition into Adulthood – Training with Belinda Blank

Belinda Blank, Advocate & Support Partnership

If you are a parent of a young person aged between 14 and 25 years of age, who may need social care support then this training is for you.

Transition to Adulthood: The Care Act and the law on social care entitlement in adult life.

• What does the law say for young people with SEN and disabilities, who are approaching 18, or for those who have already reached adulthood?
• What rights do parents and carers have in providing, or not having to provide, support?
• Any young person aged 18 or over who has additional needs may be entitled to care and support under the CARE ACT 2014.
• What does this mean for young people planning for adult life, and for carers?
• Who should be assessed, and what should that assessment look like?
• How do you ensure the voices of students, and your voice as a carer, is heard and evidenced in the assessment process?
• What should a good care plan look like?
• How does the care plan link with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)?
• What are your rights as carers?

Lunch is included

Booking is essential, please email admin@snappcf.org.uk

The training is free for our members – Central Bedfordshire Parents, please complete our membership form if you are not a member of SNAP PCF

Further information about Belinda Blank

Belinda Blank MEd (Special Education)

Belinda is a qualified Independent Advocate who specialises in the transition to adult life. Belinda qualified as an Independent Advocate in 2012 with a specialism in Non-Instructed Advocacy.

She has a Masters in Special Education from the world-renowned Autism Centre for Education and Research at the University of Birmingham. 

Belinda has fifteen years’ experience in the SEN, charity and education sectors including many years working for the National Autistic Society as a Tribunal Advocate and at Ambitious about Autism where she established and managed the Transition to Adult Life programme for which she won a national award, followed by the national Information and Family Support service. Belinda provides training on EHCPs (Education Health and Care Plans), the Care Act, Continuing Health Care and all aspects of Transition to Adult Life to parents and carers, parent support groups, schools and local authorities. She also trains widely on autism awareness.

Belinda also undertakes Non-Instructed Advocacy for people with high level needs, and works with complex young people and their families to ensure the voice of the young person is heard in the process of undergoing assessments and seeking support for education, social care, health needs, mental capacity and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, housing, benefits, vocational training, and employment.

Belinda has worked on a Disability Employment project for the Department of Work and Pensions, she acts as an Independent Disability Adviser to the Metropolitan Police, and sits as a lay member of City of London and Hackney Safeguarding Children Board. She is also a trustee of the charity My AfK (previously Action for Kids), and the chair of Trustees of a large youth sports charity.

Belinda was runner up in the 2014 NAS Axcis National Autism Awards in the category of Achievement by an Individual Education Professional, after being nominated by the parents of young people she supports.

“Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need.  Advocates and advocacy providers work in partnership with the people they support and take their side.  Advocacy promotes social inclusion, equality and social justice.”  (Advocacy Code of Practice)

Belinda Blank, Director

The Advocacy and Support Partnership

0777 565 3933 bblank@advocacyandsupport.co.uk

Venue: Rufus Centre, Flitwick

The Care Act 2014 – KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

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