AQW 45218/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 30/04/2026
Answered On Date: 20/06/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the proportion of young people previously supported under children’s services who are not deemed eligible for adult learning disability services following reassessment; and (ii) whether any alternative support is provided to those individuals.

Answer:

My Department recognises that the transition from Children to Adult Services for young people can be challenging, requiring coordinated health and social care support. My Department remains committed to ensuring that services are available to meet assessed needs during this transition.

Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs) are responsible for providing services in line with individual assessed needs, within available resources.

HSCTs advise that data regarding the proportion of young people previously supported under Children’s Services who are not deemed eligible for Adult Learning Disability Services following reassessment is not routinely collated; however, HSCTs have indicated that numbers would be very small.

HSCTs advise that the majority of young people previously supported in Childrens Services transition into Adult Learning Disability Services, following established pathways. HSCTs report that a small cohort of children may require reassessment in advance of transition. This reassessment occurs when there is a query, change in diagnosis or where it is considered that needs may be more appropriately met by another Adult Service or Programme of Care. In such cases, individuals should be signposted or referred to the most appropriate alternative statutory or communitybased support available, aligned to their assessed needs.