Transition Planning Team roles and responsibilities within the context of the Care Act 2014 and Children and Families act 2014.

The broad definition of Transition refers to the process of change for young people, and those around them, as they progress from childhood to adulthood. The current legislation makes provision for children, young carers and the child’ carers.

Each group has their own specific needs which are referred to throughout this paper as a ‘Transition Assessment’.

Most young people who receive a transition assessment will be children in need under the Children’s act 1989 and are already known to the Local Authority. The new care act identifies the responsibility of Local Authorities to identify young people who are likely to have care and support needs as an adult.

Effective transition is a key factor in supporting the broader prevention agenda in Manchester and avoiding creating unnecessary dependency. Research shows that vulnerable young people are at greater risk of marginalisation if they do not have a positive experience of transition.

A positive experience of transition focused on outcomes can make a huge difference in a young persons life if we share with them a range of choices, good information and support around housing, support, employment, health, making friends, and social relationships while they are still at school.

The current experience of young people in Manchester of transition is mixed. The current system means that referrals are taken by the transition planning team from age 16. Fundamentally the current role of the Transition Planning Team is

  • Establish eligibility for adult services against criteria
  • Carry out an adults assessment on a young person
  • Identify and agree future education health and care needs
  • Secure funding to meet assessed needs
  • Oversee the transition from Children’s to Adult services
  • Review and case manage until the young persons case is “settled”
  • Arrange appropriate end of involvement and handover to adult services.

It should be noted however that in reality the Transition Planning Team carry out the additional tasks of

  • Establishing capacity
  • Establishing ordinary residence
  • Leading on safeguarding
  • Making application to C.o.P.
  • Mental Capacity and deprivation of liberty
  • Continuing Health Care funding applications.

Positive examples of transition involve early engagement and involvement in outcome focused planning.

Essentially the starting point for good transition is fundamentally about attitudes. Transition applies to all young people and should not be seen as means by which someone moves from one service to another. Essentially the Transition Planning Team should work with young people who will meet the eligibility criteria for adult services as defined by the Care Act 2014. This does not mean that transition planning should not take place for young people who will not meet eligibility criteria, on the contrary, but this function will take place within the Education Health and Care planning process without the need of the Transition Planning Teams involvement.

It is proposed that the Transition Planning Team will take referrals for young people aged 14 and the offer will comprise of

  • Early planning-
  • Holistic assessment and review
  • Active involvement of young people and their families
  • Raising aspiration and focusing on key life changes
  • Provision of information and advocacy
  • Flexibility in transfer arrangements
  • Integrated streamlined assessment and planning processes across all agencies

Early planning

At age 14 referral taken by transition planning team and allocated to involved worker.

Holistic assessment and review

Allocated to worker who will participate in EHC process and contribute to the

social care element of plan. Will also include Capacity/CHC screening/OR

Active involvement of young people and their families

Named worker will work with young person and their family/carer in planning

for adult life

Raising aspiration and focusing on key life changes

Named worker will support to develop aspiration in relation to health and well-being, choice and control education, training, employment, housing, support, relationships, community participation.

Provision of information and advocacy

Including links to the Local Offer and access to advocacy services

Flexibility in transfer arrangements

Cases will transfer at the most appropriate time for the young person up to their

25 Birthday.

Integrated streamlined assessment and planning processes across all agencies

Combining C.I.N assessment/ Section 17/ Child carers assessment/ parent carers

assessment.

Gateway to the Transition Planning Team is via Education Health and Care planning process, a referral from Children’s social work team or referral via the contact centre.