Transition from children’s services to adult services

The following Safeguarding Adults Reviews identified learning for when a person receiving social care services moves from being a young person (18 and below) to legally becoming an adult.

Lucy (published November 2022)

Joan, Kate & Laura (September 2021)

Mary (Published March 2021)

In the main the learning focused on ensuring that health and social care agencies and practitioners understood the changes in the application of legal frameworks, particularly:

  • The importance of starting transition planning for young people starts as early as possible
  • Ensuring that the Mental Capacity Act is applied when young people are moving from children to adult services.
  • professionals to satisfy themselves that family carers have the capacity and the support necessary for them to provide safe care to adults with complex needs within the family home.
  • Application of Best Interest Assessments, when a person reaches 18,
  • Where there is a question around the persons mental capacity, or the ability of the parent to act in their best interest, considering the use of advocates

The WSAB have developed some podcasts for practitioners manging transition.  These focus on the application of the Mental Capacity Act and Best Interest Decisions, and provide information on the legal frameworks as well as h helpful advice on how to approach the family.  They can be found by following the link below:

Link to WSAB MCA and Best Interest – Transition Podcasts

Further information managing transition can be found on the following websites

NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care System – Transition through Care Toolkit

Worcestershire County Council Children’s Services – Get There – information, help and guidance for those aged 16 to 25 years.