Taking on choice and control in personal care and support: The experiences of physically disabled young adults:

SummaryResearch on self-directed care has focused on older people and adults with learning or mental health difficulties. This article reports physically disabled young adults’ experiences of self-directed care. Such work is important because young adults are a ‘minority’ group within adult social care. This, and their still developing life-skills and lack of life experience, may have a bearing on their experiences of self-directed care and associated support needs. An exploratory qualitative study using semi-structured interviews investigated this issue. Participants were 19–29 years with a range of congenital and acquired impairments.FindingsMany aspects of interviewees’ experiences of self-directed care appeared to be influenced by their limited life experience, the fact they are still developing life-skills and are a minority group within adult social care. Interviewees identified their lack of life experience and self-confidence as making them cautious in assuming responsibility for their care arrang...