Frank Latham, 20, left the North East Autism Society’s care last year after six years at Braemar Gardens children’s residential home.
Frank first moved into Braemar at 13-years-old, and his parents, Helen and Dorian, said children’s residential care gave them ‘a new way to be a family’.
For Frank, Helen and Dorian, and Braemar’s registered manager Julie Dunlop, the move into adult care was a was long prepared for event.
“I think it became part of the conversation two years before it eventually took place,” said Helen.
Helen added:
“Julie, in her wisdom, was always thinking about his independence in adulthood. Working towards little micro-targets that wouldn’t look like much to an outsider.”
While living at Braemar, Frank developed his communication using Makaton and the Proloquo app on his iPad, and learned routines around everyday tasks such as his laundry, packing his schoolbag, and helping do the shopping for the house.
Dorian said: “During lockdown, there were deliveries. He would check that the supermarket actually did bring the stuff that they’d ordered.
“He knew exactly what the house needed.”
When the time came to begin Frank’s transition to adult social care, staff from Braemar were key to supporting Frank and his family through the process.
Julie attended transition meetings and multidisciplinary team meetings with the local authority, and made sure Frank was still cared for when his move into an independent supporting living home was delayed.
Helen added:
“She was, as ever, professional and cool about the moments where we thought ‘how on Earth are you meant to do this.'"
Once the right house was found, the team from Braemar helped prepare it for Frank.
Dorian said: “We had a long period of phasing in. Julie helped tidy up the house that he was moving in to. She and several of the carers cleaned the house from top to bottom.”
Frank was supported to choose which bedroom he wanted, before the team decorated it and gradually moved his possessions into the new room, including getting his favourite Chitty Chitty Bang Bang duvet cover ready for him on his first night in his new home.
Dorian said:
“It was almost like transporting his room from Braemar Gardens. It wasn’t really a transition; it was more like a dissolve from one place to another.”
As well as setting up the house, the team at Braemar worked with Frank’s new carers to introduce them to his routine.
“The preparation for Frank’s transition was absolutely textbook,” said Helen.
“There were meetings that were initiated by Julie to engage with the team, and she continues to be open to responding if they have any questions about anything to do with Frank.”
Frank was given visual stories to help prepare for the day of his move and had multiple visits to the home alongside Julie to help set up.
Helen said:
“She wanted to make it fun for Frank, so they’d go visit the house, do some painting together, and have a pizza in the house, to say this is where you’re going to live, it’s your home.”
Julie said: “Frank’s transition into his adult provision was such a lovely, happy time, going back and forth with him between Braemar and his new home, and I wouldn’t have changed a thing.”
“It’s been a pleasure to watch Frank grow from his first day at Braemar to his last day,” Julie added.
“I know Frank is making so many new memories now and it’s so nice for his family to keep in touch with updates of his new adult journey.”
Now living in his home in North Shields, it was key to his family that Frank could continue enjoying all the activities he took part in at Braemar.
Frank attends college three days a week, has become a welcomed regular at a nearby adults climbing class, takes part in community litter picks, and is always on the lookout for a good disco.
Frank also enjoys art, and had a picture featured in the Wey Aye Lego Man 2025 exhibition in Newcastle, which centres Lego figures built and photographed by neurodivergent artists.
Helen said:
“We have the confidence now to know Frank’s life can be enriched in these little ways, and we’re taking that opportunity now so that he’s not isolated, so he keeps fit, and he’s enjoying life.”
Dorian added: “He wouldn’t be who he is without NEAS’ support. He’s a fantastic, cheery, affectionate young man, and that’s been developed through his experiences with Julie at Braemar and NEAS.
“We’re proud of him.”
