Youth with high support needs, families and social services: a relation of resources and gaps

Youth have specific demands and needs in relation to their life stage that must also be met for people with high support needs (HSN). Notwithstanding, social services do not differentiate by age when assigning a dependency care resource. Our aim is to analyse the experiences of youth with HSN and their families in the long-term care system. We thematically analysed 25 interviews held with youth with HSN and/or their guardians from different areas of Aragón (Spain). In this way, we detected how the relationship with social services is complex and generates four major gaps throughout development that directly affect quality of life: (1) at age 18, upon reaching the legal age of majority; (2) at age 21, when transitioning from the educational system to the system for supporting persons in situations of dependency; (3) due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness of the caregivers; (4) due to a change of residence or mobility. In addition, the intersectionality issue emerged in a cross-cutting manner by demanding more attention to these issues. In short, the need to rethink the resources and design of the dependency care system was detected in accordance with its users’ life project.