A WITNEY mum has praised a new working group that is helping to improve the county's adult social services.

Mum-of-four Kathy Liddell said she was delighted to be part of Oxfordshire County Council's scheme, which is looking into ways to improve transition services for youngsters who have reached the age of needing to access adult social services.

She hopes that her personal experience of helping her 21-year-old daughter India, who has learning disabilities, access the support and services she needs, will help the council see what changes they need to do to make it easier for other families.

The 55-year-old, who works for Oxfordshire Family Support Network, said: "Transitioning from children to adult services is difficult enough.

"With laws changing and not knowing where to go now for things it means a lot of people are missing out on the care they need.

"I think this is a really great idea from the council to bring together service users with the professionals so we can help inform them about how they run care services."

Although the working group of about 35 people is relatively new, they are already planning a trip to Kent to see how the council there has made changes.

Over the course of the next year it is hoped the group will come up with ideas and suggestions to help improve the transition services.

Mrs Liddell added: "Transition never stops for a family, you are always thinking about the next step and milestone for your child.

"It is so important families have a chance to have a voice and help shape the way the county council provides services in the future.

"Not everyone has the time like I did to throw themselves in and see what support and opportunities were out there for India.

"We need to get the word out there so families know what they can access to help them."

The Liddell family is now looking into supported living for India as the next steps to helping her gain her independence.

Mrs Liddell added: "If India had her way she would be watching the telly all day.

"But we want to make sure she has the opportunities that all her older siblings do, like moving away from home, getting a job.

"I am really excited about this working group and seeing how we can make a difference not only for India, but other young people who are reaching that age of transition."

Director for adult services at the county council, Kate Terroni, has big plans and wants to eventually roll out 'co-production' across all aspects of adult services.

She said: "We are in the process of establishing a co-production board.

"From there we would look to roll out working groups, similar to those already set up for the transition service, across five other areas within adult services.

"I do not know what areas those will be yet because it will be up to the board.

"But this is something that we think is extremely important in ensuring that residents get the best possible care."