Information for families

Recognising the vital role of parents and carers

  • Parents & Carers Forum

  • How Do You Join NST?

  • Other FAQs

  • Events Calendar

Parents & Carers Forum

Our Parents & Carers Forum is a welcoming space for families to connect, share experiences, and support one another. Established by parents, our organisation is rooted in lived experience and understanding.

While people with learning disabilities are at the heart of everything we do, we recognise the vital role parents and carers play. The forum provides an opportunity to offer peer support, share feedback, and stay informed about developments and plans. It helps us strengthen communication, build community, and ensure families feel heard, supported, and involved. We meet biannually at one of our centres.

How do you join Next Step?

At Next Step, our focus is on creating a service centred around the individual, ensuring a smooth, supportive, and person-focused journey for every Next Stepper.

  • Most of our participants are school leavers transitioning at 18. Currently, the majority of our referrals come through CMBC or the ICB following reviews and assessments completed at school. Schools may also refer them via social workers, or they may discover us at local transition events. Prospective Next Steppers are encouraged to visit all centres and meet with our Day Service Coordinator to discuss their needs, preferences, and any diagnoses. If suitable, they receive an information pack and a needs assessment is completed.

    Once a decision is made to join, the social worker liaises with relevant professionals to secure funding, after which a personalised transition and support plan is developed. The Day Service Coordinator oversees the transition, allocating a Lead Support Worker and experienced team. We liaise with schools, provide training as needed (e.g., SALT, epilepsy, specialist feeding), and ensure communication aids are in place for consistency. Initial attendance may start part-time, increasing as the individual becomes familiar with staff and routines.

    Transition typically occurs during the final months of school, with full attendance commencing in September, though the process is adaptable to individual needs. Adults joining outside of school transitions are supported through the same process, including social worker allocation and funding arrangements.

    At Next Step, our focus is on creating a service centred around the individual, ensuring a smooth, supportive, and person-focused journey for every Next Stepper.

Other FAQs

  • The service is designed to support young adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities, complex health needs, and autism.

  • The service supports young adults aged 18 and over, with no upper age limit for access.

  • We warmly encourage you to visit our service to see what we offer and meet the team before making your decision.

  • Our 3 day service centres are located in central Halifax and our Respite bungalow is located in Southowram.

  • We provide personalised support tailored to each individual’s unique needs. This includes personal care, medication administration, support with complex health needs, communication, moving and handling and behavioural support.

    To ensure the highest standard of care and safety, we offer flexible staffing ratios based on assessed needs. This includes 1:1 support, 1:2 support, and 1:3 support, with 2:1 support often provided where appropriate. These tailored support levels enable us to promote independence while ensuring individuals receive the attention, reassurance, and specialist assistance they require at all times.

  • At present, all of our transport places are fully allocated, and we are unable to accommodate any further requests. Our buses are primarily used to access activities in the community.

  • All of our staff are directly employed by our organisation to ensure consistency, quality of care, and full compliance with our policies and procedures. For this reason, individuals are not able to bring their own carer. Each person who uses our service is allocated a dedicated team of support workers to meet their assessed needs.

  • Our day service operates from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday. Our Respite service operates 24/7.

  • Our Day Service closes on all UK Bank Holidays and for a period over the Christmas season. (Please note that our Christmas closure dates may vary each year).

    Our Respite service remains open during bank holidays.

  • Our Respite bungalow is located in Southowram, Halifax.

  • Currently, our Respite facility is open to Next Steppers who attend our Day Service. We have taken referrals from young people leaving Linden Brook at 18 and would consider these in the future. If you attend our Day Service and would like to be added to the waiting list, please contact our Respite Lead, Nicky Weaver.

  • We are proud to offer a five-star catering service that caters to each individual’s dietary requirements, including specialist diets and personal preferences. In addition, we provide carefully prepared meals for individuals living with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). Our team is trained in texture-modified catering, offering meals that are prepared in line with recognised safety guidelines to ensure the correct consistency, presentation, and nutritional value.

  • All of our staff are comprehensively trained and hold up-to-date enhanced DBS checks to ensure safety and quality of care.

  • Our charges are based on the support ratio required by the Next Stepper to meet their needs, this is agreed prior to transition and reviewed if required.

Events calendar

To see a full list of all events, click below

All Events

  • “The Next Step Trusts impact on individuals and families is exceptional—providing nurturing, caring, and engaging services that promote independence, dignity, and quality of life.”

    —Gareth Hunter - SCHOOL BUSINESS MANAGER (RAVENSCLIFFE)

  • “Each young adults communication, social and physical needs are tailored to them and all those needs are always met. Regular reviews take place to ensure any changes are kept up to date and parent and carers are always kept updated.”

    —Alison & Peter - PARENTS

  • “Since attending Next Step, Natalie has gained confidence, and with their support, she has slowly come out of her shell and joins in lots more activities than she ever has. Natalie has a wonderful group of support assistants who always try to encourage Natalie to reach her goals and gain confidence.”

    —Karen - PARENT

  • “I looked at many different day centres and I chose The Next Step Trust because I know many of the staff members and Next Steppers from Ravenscliffe.”

    —Amber - NEXT STEPPER