Speech delivered at KIDS charity launch event.

I was delighted when Katie asked me to speak at today’s launch event. As a parent to three teenage boys, with my middle son Harry, aged 17 who has learning disabilities, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little about my families experience.

We are currently on the transition pathway, a term which I struggle with, as my non-disabled sons don’t have to transition towards anything – they just turn into adults.

My Harry is, however, on this pathway and it’s a difficult journey to be on. It’s one that has given me sleepless nights. We have few options for him once he finishes his sixth form studies, and the few that we have found, are either a long distance from home, aren’t suitable for him, or only offer one or two days in education or training. You see, my son is unlikely to work due to his learning disabilities, but he does want to go into performing arts – he has quite the talent for dancing, Bollywood being his favourite– but so often, the focus of transition pathways, offer little opportunities for young people to explore the things they really enjoy.

Of course, for our disabled youngsters who wish to look for work, we should afford them every opportunity, but we also need to ensure that we support those who aspire to simply living in their communities, with the right support.

As I said, I am kept awake at night, worrying about his future. Nobody has contacted me yet, to discuss the move to adult services, be that in social care, health care, or education. My information comes from other parents, never the Local Authority. I feel as though my son doesn’t matter. That his hopes and aspirations are of no importance to anyone but me. We are at the cliff edge.

But we simply cannot continue with this cliff edge, and the black hole that families find themselves being dragged into. The impact of this can be devastating for young people. Many will end up dropping out of education, unable to find a training scheme for work, or simply have no alternative but to remain at home with mum and dad, while the world carries on without them. I don’t want this for my son. I don’t want this for any of my children. I don’t want it for any of our children.

And so parents find themselves scrambling around for information, for support, for anything that will ensure that our youngsters are not forgotten.

So I am grateful to Kids for commissioning this report and for listening to families and young people themselves, who so often find that their futures are being decided without their voices being heard. Remember, nothing about us without us.

The report should act as a starting point for all of us here tonight, including those from industry, education and civil society, to acknowledge that transition pathways aren’t working for everyone. There is a gap between the aspirations of adulthood, and the reality of limited choices and being forgotten by the system.

We need to start having real conversations about how we support our disabled youngsters. We need to be more creative, more imaginative and inclusive.

We need proper signposting for families. The report recognises that some areas have brilliant resources but for many families like mine, we rely on other families for information. The report suggests mentoring for families and I believe this could help provide crucial support. I would certainly welcome it.

Local authorities need to have a really imaginative local offer, and ensure that it is local. We are currently considering a college which is nearly two hours away from home. I know Harry would much rather be closer to home but the local colleges simply don’t offer any performing arts courses.

Work placements should be more accessible for those youngsters who wish to work. The report highlights some brilliant examples of work placements and training such as Team Domenica in Brighton. But we need more of these, in every city and every town. And homes in the community where young people want to live with the right support, should not be a pipe dream but an achievable reality.

Adulthood should not be something to be feared but should be seen as a time in the lives of our young people, for them to achieve their dreams and aspirations, whatever they may be.

For my son, its simply to dance. So, let’s help him dance.