Transition Planning for Young People Moving to Adult Services
Introduction
Transitioning from children’s to adult services is a significant phase for young people with additional needs. Careful and early planning is vital to ensure a smooth and supportive process. This section outlines the essential steps, considerations, and resources available to families navigating transition.
Early Engagement with Professionals
The first step is to communicate with professionals involved in your child’s care, such as the social worker, specialist nurse, GP, or school nurse. Begin transition preparations early, ideally when your child is around 13 or 14 years old. EHCP meetings provide a useful opportunity to raise transition concerns and start formal planning. It’s important to ask questions during these meetings to clarify any uncertainties and to learn about the specific services available to support your young person through the transition.
Finding Services and Information
Online resources, particularly your Local Authority’s Local Offer website, are invaluable. The Local Offer acts as a directory of services for children and young people with SEND in your area, including a dedicated section on transition to adult services, social care, education, and more. You can access your Local Offer via your Local Authority’s website or through an online search.
Family Discussion and Identifying Challenges
Challenges during transition will vary depending on the young person’s individual needs, location, and circumstances. Set aside time for a family discussion to identify potential challenges as your young person transitions to adult services. Share these concerns with the professional team supporting your young person.
Planning for the Future
Start thinking about transition early, consider major decisions, such as whether your child will attend a residential college, the proximity of their educational centre to home, and the level of independence you envisage for them. These questions require time and depend on the support available as your young person reaches adulthood.
Encourage independence, understanding that it may look different for each young person, it should be tailored to your child’s individual circumstances and needs.
Scope and Timescale of Transition
Transition planning is designed to support individuals between the ages of 16 and 25, rather than serving as a permanent process. The primary areas for consideration are education, health, respite, and care provision, which serve as essential foundations for effective planning throughout this transitional stage.
Finding a Key Worker
Identify a key worker early in the process. This could be any professional you have an established relationship with, such as a nurse, social worker or a transition or SEND officer. Ask them to help coordinate the transition and document your plans, ensuring all needs are addressed and tracked.
Ensuring Reasonable Adjustments in Adult Services
Adult services are required to make reasonable adjustments for your young person, including increased parental access and tailored support. If necessary adjustments are not provided, escalate concerns to the nurse in charge or contact your local Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALs).
Managing Concerns About Adult Services
Parents may worry about their young person’s experience in adult wards, but there are benefits to adult services that may suit many young people better than paediatric services. Once relationships with adult care teams are established, the transition period typically becomes smoother.
Transition as a Gradual Process
Transition is not a one-off event. It is a gradual process supporting young people through their teenage years into adulthood, building confidence and self-management where possible. A good transition plan should focus on the young person’s strengths and aspirations, involving parents and carers and supporting them to understand changes in their rights.
The legal age of adulthood is 18 in England and Wales. The age of entry into adult services differs by region, condition, and circumstances, with multiple transitions between specialists and services to organise.
The Importance of Planning
Transition to adulthood is a process requiring careful, early planning. Person-centred planning, which places the young disabled person at the heart of the process, is essential.
Planning for a Happy Adult Life
It can be helpful to discuss with your young person what a fulfilling adult life looks like. Create your own plan for the future to support decision-making in meetings about your child’s support. This can be done as early as feels appropriate.
Transition Planning in England
For children with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, transition planning is part of the ongoing annual review process. The Care Act ensures a transition period into adult services for those receiving local authority support.
Key Questions for Your Plan
- What are your child’s interests, daily habits, and most-loved places?
- Who plays an important role in your child’s life?
- What needs to be considered to keep your child healthy and safe?
- In what ways does your child communicate, and what do their expressions or actions indicate?
- What makes a day positive or negative for your child?
- What strengths and skills does your child have?
- What hopes and ideas does your child have about the future?
- What kind of support does your family require, and over what period?
The perspectives and preferences of the young person should serve as the basis for developing the plan. If a child is unable to communicate their wishes directly, it is advisable to draw upon your experience and consult with friends and family members who participate in their care.
Maintain adaptability in your approach by periodically reviewing and updating the plan to reflect evolving circumstances or opportunities.
Setting and Achieving Goals
Set simple goals for your young person by thinking about what they want to achieve soon, in a little while, and in the future. Pick one goal to focus on, decide what help or skills are needed, and involve the right people. Give each goal a clear time frame, and update them when things change. Keep notes in a way that works for you, such as a notebook or an app.
Make your plans happen by deciding who will do what and when you’ll check in on progress. If things get stuck, look for what’s making it hard and change your plan if needed.
Legal Considerations and Guardianship
Disabled individuals under 18 require a legal guardian, typically a parent, to manage their care. Upon turning 18, responsibility shifts to the young person, and accessing funding and services may become more complex, necessitating thorough transition planning.
Guardians, support workers and social workers can assist with planning for education, health care, social care, and financial matters.
Communication and Adjustments
Ensure communication about transition planning is adapted to suit the young person’s preferences. This may include quiet rooms, extended meeting times, online meetings, or accessible formats for letters and documents. Advocates can support young people in meetings and help ensure their voices are heard.
Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP)
Young people can remain in education while in adult care. The EHCP concludes when education ends, when all outcomes are met, or at age 25. Annual EHCP reviews during the transition period should support planning, with questions focusing on timing, choices, differences, and learning from others’ experiences.
From ages 13-14, EHCP outcomes should address employment, independent living, social inclusion, and health.
A good resource for assistance and support is IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Educational Advice). This charity supports children and young people up to the age of 25, providing legal advice and support to navigate the transition system.
Healthcare Transition
Adult medical services differ from children’s services, often requiring engagement with more specialists. Request guidance from your paediatric consultant/s about moving to adult health services. Creating a healthcare passport, using available templates online, is a practical way to share essential information with healthcare professionals.
GPs typically remain the same unless you move home. Annual health checks are available for those on the GP’s learning disability register from age 14. These checks offer an opportunity to discuss needs and concerns.
Mental Health Services
Transition to adult mental health services usually occurs at age 18 or older, although some may remain in child services if treatment is ongoing. GP continuity is maintained unless a change is requested, though other mental health care providers may change.
In rural areas, there is a higher likelihood of retaining the same care providers. Upon moving to adult services, you may request a change of practitioner within the same service.
