This is an updated post from our archives. In 2022, the BBC released What Harvey Did Next, a sequel documentary following Harvey Price’s transition to college life at National Star College. The film highlights the challenges and triumphs of navigating independence with complex disabilities. This post explores Harvey’s journey, the documentary’s impact, and recent updates on his progress.

Harvey Price: His Progress Since the Documentary

Harvey’s Life After the Documentary

After What Harvey Did Next aired, Harvey Price kept moving forward in his journey toward independence. He now studies at National Star College, a school that helps young adults with complex disabilities. The documentary showed his first steps into student life, and since then, he has reached many important milestones.

Harvey has adjusted well to his new routine. The college provides structure and support, which helps him feel secure. His mother, Katie Price, often shares updates about his progress on social media. Harvey has gained confidence in daily activities like going to class, following schedules, and joining social events.

One of his biggest achievements is setting a Guinness World Record. He drew the longest-ever train picture—a 21.3-meter-long drawing of a Thameslink train. Harvey loves trains and art, and this record proves his dedication to both.

Katie Price has said she is very proud of him. Moving to college was hard at first, but with the help of staff and regular video calls with his mom, Harvey has settled in well.

What We Learned from the Documentary

What Harvey Did Next showed the ups and downs of helping young adults with disabilities become more independent. Some key lessons from the film include:

• Specialist Education Helps – Schools like National Star College give students the support they need to become independent. Structured learning environments are crucial for students with complex needs.
• Friendships and Routine Are Important – A structured daily plan and social activities help students feel happy and secure.
• Strong Support Systems Matter – Families and caregivers play a big role in making transitions smooth.

Harvey’s Medical Conditions and how they affect him

Support for Families with Disabled Young Adults

If you have a child with disabilities who is moving toward independence, these resources can help:

• Specialist Schools and Colleges – Schools like National Star College provide education and care suited to their needs.
• Advocacy Groups – Groups like Mencap help families understand their rights and find the right support.
• Assistive Technology – Special tools, like mobility aids and sensory devices, can make daily life easier. Learn more about assistive technology options.

Some programs, such as Early Bird (for autism) and Triple P (Positive Parenting Program), offer help to parents guiding their children through these changes. Action for Children provides information on these and other supportive programs.

Research on Disability Education and Independence

Studies show that the right learning environment makes a big difference in a young person’s future. Some key findings include:

• Personalized Learning Plans Work – Schools that adapt to each student’s needs help them succeed. The National Institute for Health and Care Research emphasizes the importance of tailored communication tools and social skill development.
• Long-Term Support Is Key – One-time help is not enough. Students need ongoing support as they transition into adulthood. Recent research shows that consistent, meaningful transition support leads to better outcomes.

Experts agree that a well-planned, supportive environment helps young adults with disabilities grow and thrive. Additional research continues to identify best practices for supporting students through these important life transitions.

Original post follows

TV personality Katie Price and her disabled son Harvey star in a new BBC documentary – Katie Price: What Harvey Did Next – which follows Harvey as he starts an independent life at the National Star College in Gloucester, his transition to adulthood and his separation from his mum.

Katie Price: What Harvey Did Next summary

Harvey Price, who lives with a range of complex medical and behavioural conditions including autism, is about to set off on a rite of passage that thousands of young people do every year – going to college.

For the first 19 years of his life, Harvey has been looked after by his mum, Katie Price, but things are about to look very different for the whole Price family.

Katie Price: What Harvey Did Next follows the teenager as he enters this new phase of adulthood. The film documents Harvey’s transition to a more independent life and how he and his Mum cope with the seismic changes in their lives that Harvey’s move to college brings.

This hour-long documentary follows on from the iPlayer record-breaking first film, Harvey and Me, which explored the love Harvey and Katie have for each other and demonstrated that there is far more to Katie than what is reported in the headlines.

As Harvey embarks on his first term at specialist college, National Star, this intimate film gives viewers access to their unique bond and how they both find being apart from one another now that Harvey is away full time.

What Harvey Did Next goes behind the scenes and discovers how staff at the college work with young adults with disabilities to realise their aspirations.

Filmed over several months of learning and living in his own flat, this film puts Harvey at the centre as he navigates college life, forming friendships and settling into the place where he hopes to spend the next three years.

What Harvey Did Next is a film that shines a light on a side of disability that’s not often spoken about; independence, love and letting go, coming of age and reframing relationships as we grow.

Harvey Price at National Star college

Young people, like Harvey, who attend National Star have complex medical needs and disabilities. The charity provides nursing and medical care as well as integrated learning and therapies.

For many, it may be the first time the young person has lived away from home and helps them prepare for adulthood.

Harvey admitted he felt “sad” when he moved to college because he missed Katie but when she does come to visit him, he enjoys “cooking” with her and having “lots of mummy cuddles”.

Learning and therapy are integrated across the college experience so students can put new skills to use in real and practical situations.

Harvey says the college has been “really fantastic” so far and his favourite activities are “swimming and rebound”.

Rebound therapy is a specific type of trampoline therapy used to facilitate movement, promote balance, promote an increase or decrease in muscle tone, promote relaxation, promote sensory integration, improve fitness and exercise tolerance, and improve communication skills.

Harvey has also said that he has learnt independent skills such as “cleaning and hanging out washing” while living in his own flat.

The college provides students with an opportunity for an inclusive social life where they can build friendships. Harvey has made friends with a girl called Lucy who he says “is lovely”.

Residential placements also provide support for families who, up to this point, may have been the young person’s only carer. Currently, National Star has 105 residential students from across the UK.

Harvey is funded to live full-time at college, hopefully for three years. His placement will be reviewed annually by his local authority which then decides on whether to continue to fund his placement.

The annual review will look at a student’s outcomes and what they are achieving during their time at National Star.

Katie Price’s thoughts on Harvey living independently

Many parents will relate to the complex mixture of pride and emotional turmoil that occurs when a child leaves home, and Katie speaks about how these feelings are exacerbated when your child has additional needs.

In the documentary, she reveals her innermost fears of separation, the void her son has left and the ‘Mum guilt’ of potentially enjoying her newfound freedom as Harvey explores a more independent, adult life.

Before the programme release, Katie revealed she is so proud of what Harvey has achieved so far at college and looking forward to seeing what his future holds:

“For me, I’m proud of Harvey in so many ways. People have to remember I got told he wouldn’t walk, talk or do anything really and he does it all. He’s very challenging, as you know – he’s on around 25 tablets a day and that’s just to keep him alive, keep him going and for his behaviour,” said Katie.

“So, for him to go to college without me – because that’s all he knows – I’m really proud about how he has adjusted to me not being there. Although I am there with him in a way, because we do videos and FaceTime for him to show me things and I see him on visits, I’m still not there and I think he’s coped really well.

I think it’ll be interesting watching his next steps. I want to see what he’s like when he comes out, when he goes to lessons, him excelling, what he’s like on the school bus and when he goes out and does stuff.”

She adds: “I think it’ll be interesting to see the next step, because even I’m interested in that. I already know all that you see in the first documentary, but with this one, I’m with the viewers and you guys now, I want to see how he progresses because it’s all new to me too.”

Katie Price: What Harvey Did Next will be on Monday 7th March 2022 on BBC One at 9pm and available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

By Emma Purcell