Transition for young people (NToW127)

Background
Sutton Disability Partnership for Children and Young People developed this project to create better outcomes for young disabled people who are in transition from children's to adult's services.

The overall aim of the project was to establish effective joint working between key agencies so that disabled young people (aged between 14 and 25) and their parents/carers would be better supported during this transition phase. This would enable them to make informed choices, experience continuity of care and achieve their potential in terms of independence, self-care, health, relationships, educational attainment, employment and self fulfilment.

Aims/Objectives

The aim of the project was to develop an integrated and seamless transition process for young people with disabilities, moving from children's into adults' service provision.

What happened?
The project launched with the introduction of a multi-agency transition team consisting of a project coordinator and three part-time professionals: a transitions social worker from the children with disabilities team (CWDT), a care manager from the adult community team for people with learning disabilities (SCTPLD), a prospects connexions personal adviser, along with an administrator. Overseeing these developments was a steering group made up of senior managers from these three professional teams. In addition, the project was accountable to a project group that consisted of representatives of the key stakeholders within the borough.

Outcomes

A range of agencies including health, social care and Connexions developed greater awareness of each other's role and responsibilities
Parents and carers felt reassured and supported
A database was created which has helped underpin better services tailored to the individual needs of the young person, by mapping provision and tracking their progress
Improvements have been made in external inspection reports

Impact on workforce development and how you can use the learning
Transitions remain an important issue. Shared learning opportunities are key to ensuring that those working in adult and children's services find ways to enable young people and their families to progress smoothly from children to adults services.

Additional materials

NToW127 - Transition unit evaluation report

NToW127 - Transition training evaluation report

NToW127 - Evaluation of the transitions unit on transition

NToW127 - Activities by transition unit

NToW127 - Transition unit presentation

NToW127 - Pilot sites overview

NToW127 - Draft workplan for the tranistion unit

NToW127 - Future of the transitions unit

NToW127 - Transition protocols

NToW127 - Project coordinator job description

NToW127 - Project coordinator person specification