News and Views

Disabled teenagers living in care homes for older people

Disability charity Livability is calling for an immediate inquiry into the numbers of disabled young people who live in care homes for older people.

Its Freedom to Live Report, published last week, suggests that over 40 per cent of disabled young adults are living in unsuitable accommodation.

It finds that disabled young people are losing the independence they might have gained at special schools or colleges. Many have had to move back with parents or into older people's homes because of a lack of group residential places designed for young people.

The charity suggests: “Poor housing and poor support leaves thousands trapped in a life from which their skills alone cannot help them escape.

“Vast numbers of disabled young people are denied the right to live, work and study because of barriers put in the way.”

                                               
The Freedom to Live campaign aims include:

• Ensure disabled young people can choose where to live and who to live with
• A government inquiry into the numbers, locations, needs and preferences of disabled young people living in unsuitable accommodation
• Disabled young people should be offered services designed for their age group – never those designed for older people, and should be involved in designing the services they need