The standard model of care provision is typically a large house in an urban setting such as in Ashford, Dartford or Margate, with noise, traffic, little space, poor security and the need to be transported by bus to various off-site activities. This is not appropriate for our sons’ needs, or in general for this cohort of young people. 

Gabriel, Luke and Kieran have boundless energy and would not cope well with the constraints of an urban environment. Easily unlocked doors and busy, dangerous roads are inappropriate. A secure environment is needed with easy access to safe outside space in which to enjoy meaningful activities for physical wellbeing, as well as release frustrations and anxieties to support their mental health. Proximity to family networks provides practical and emotional support

While this project has started as a way of meeting the needs of our three sons, we are aware of at least three other autistic young people who will be in a similar position over the next two to three years. There are many autistic teenagers coming out of school with similar needs and nowhere to go.

In fact, there are currently some 153 young people aged 16-22 known to Kent Children’s Social Care and Disabled Young People’s teams who are autistic and have severe learning difficulties. The model we are proposing potentially provides a template for further developments in the county, to put in place a network of provision to meet specialist needs into the future and reduce pressure on Kent’s long term social care costs.

The importance of developing a new model of supported living for Kent’s neurodivergent young people couldn’t be more urgent.It is in this context that we are coming together to shape a more positive future for our sons and to establish a model that will benefit other families and which could positively impact on the Kent SEND community as a whole.