Amend the law so Parental Responsibility continues beyond 18 where a capacity assessment between the ages of 16-18 confirms the young person severely and permanently lacks capacity, with oversight safeguards, removing the need for families to apply for costly, Court of Protection Deputyship.

When the person is 18, parents of young people who severely and permanently lack capacity lose legal authority and can be forced into costly, complex and often unsuccessful Court of Protection deputyship. In our view, families who have safely cared for their child for life should not face an adversarial process to continue protecting them. A safeguarded continuation framework could provide stability, reduce court burden and better protect vulnerable adults.