Changes and choices: finding out what information young people with learning disabilities, their parents and supporters need at transition

This article provides an overview of the methods and findings of a project, commissioned by the Social Care Institute for Excellence, to explore the information needs of young people with learning disabilities, their families and supporters at transition. It describes how a group of young people with learning disabilities were trained in research methods and undertook four focus groups with other young people with learning disabilities in England and Wales. Parallel focus groups involving their parents and supporters were conducted at the same time, facilitated by a family carer and professional respectively. The different kinds of information required are summarized: for example, all three groups wanted information about getting a job and going to college and about the transition process generally, but there were also differences in emphasis between the groups, which are described. Key issues in providing information at transition in ways likely to be most accessible to the different stakeholders are outlined.