The Local Government Association commissioned Alma Economics to investigate the experience of council social care support for people with lifelong disabilities. We wanted to identify ways in which this support can be improved and what barriers there are to delivering and accessing the support. We were also interested in understanding disabled people’s transition from children to adults’ services.

To get a good understanding of the topic from the perspective of service users as well as service providers, our team of researchers conducted a review of existing evidence and interviews with social care staff and parent carers of children and young people with lifelong disabilities.

Through thematic analysis, we identified several important themes that were set out in a final report and a simple English version of the report. Both reports contain quotes from service users, their families, and service providers to better illustrate the themes identified.

Findings from this project may be used to inform future LGA research and solutions on how to improve social care services for people with lifelong disabilities and their families.

Read the report here.