This is a slim volume (125 pages) based around the experiences of Suzie Franklin and her daughter Jennie, a young lady with autism and learning difficulties, as she progresses through the transition from school, college and into an independent adult life. The story is co-written with Helen Sanderson who took part in Jennie's transition as a member of her “Circle of Support” and is also a leading advocate of person-centred planning who has advised Government and authored many publications on the subject.
If the book was just about Jennie's story it would be an excellent example of how effective person-centred planning can be and, as such, inspirational to many parents, but might have a less prominent place in other libraries. Alongside the narrative, however, the authors explore what went well or could be improved, and provide a host of practical examples to guide others following their lead. They also include a variety of links and references to web pages and government documentation. The challenge between writing and publication is to ensure that the links are still live and the majority were; a few, mainly government papers that had been archived, required a little more searching.
Each chapter follows a different stage of Jennie's transition from the initial one page person-centred profile, through initial planning, then onto the challenge of personal budgets, finding a place to live, appointing a service provider to manage her care, interviewing staff and finally a review two years on. How person-centred planning drives the process is explained in each chapter. The volume throughout is illustrated with examples of Jennie's documentation, demonstrating how it changed and developed throughout the journey. There is a final chapter containing further resources at the end of the book that can be used as an ongoing toolkit for person-centred planning.
Jennie's achievements, accomplished with the support of her family and Local Authority (Stockport, near Manchester), are remarkable. One cannot help questioning, however, whether a family less confident, articulate and able to champion the young person's needs would have gained the same result. The family was supported by a group of friends who became Jennie's “Circle of support”, including Helen Sanderson, the co-author and other friends of the family who had personal or professional links with young people with autism. This group provides a good model of how families can be empowered by the appropriate support and is one that the local authority is now trying to replicate.
There were a few areas of the book where further explanation would have been of value including issues relating to becoming Jennie's legal deputy and securing funding for the flat that was bought in her name. These minor shortcomings do not diminish the value of the book for a wide audience: for parents, to demonstrate what is possible when the young person, however disabled, is given centre stage; for providers and commissioners of school, college and adult services, to review the opportunities that can be provided. As the Children and Families Bill comes into force this would be a good book to refer to as a guide for best practice of person-centred planning. Following Jennie's path would ensure that the focus will remain on the young person with disabilities and that the plan of the Bill to create a smooth transition into adulthood for all young people could become a reality.
