Ms Suzy Byrne:

I want to talk about families. We are often contacted by families who would like to support young adult family members at a very early stage in helping them to have lives of their choosing, but the pathways do not exist for that. I recognise, in particular, those families who want a sibling, son or daughter supported in achieving independence and choice and in obtaining the home and support needed, but options are presented only where there is nobody around to provide that support or there is an emergency. We are losing a lot of potential to support people in having a choice as to what to do when they have good support around them and to have agency in their lives. We need to address that. We are talking about assistants, schemes and the fair deal but also about family dynamics and how to support people in making choices within their families and recognising their status within their families. We need to think about this matter and how support can be offered by the agencies. We see the resources that agencies have. They are continually under pressure but it is so important to support people with disabilities on their journeys through life. At present, support is offered only when people are in crisis. Needs change and a little support now might mean less will be needed in the future.