This leaflet tells you about how we will help you move to
adult services for your care when you are older
What is Preparing for Adulthood (Transition)
Preparing for Adulthood is often referred to as transition to adult services
and means “change”. Preparing for adulthood involves a longer time to
plan and discuss important issues for you as you grow up. This could
be around what you want to do for work, friends, relationships as well as
your health needs.
Your health team will work with you to identify what information you may
need in order to support you as you get older and move to adult services.
It will take place between the ages of 14 – 19 yrs.
Once you reach 14 yrs your health team will start to talk to you about
transition and give you this leaflet. Then each time they see you they
may talk about it and what you would like to happen when you are older.
To help you think about what you would like there is space at the back
of this leaflet to write down your views and also any questions you may
wish to ask your health team when you see them again.
Between the ages of 14 – 16 years your health team will ask you for your
views, answer your questions and also use a document which is like a
transition check list to help guide them to what additional help or support
you may need. They will then write up a transition plan that will guide
you and health teams through the work needed before you move to adult
services. The transition plan will then be reviewed with you at least once
every year.
For young people with more complex health needs the team will contact
the adult service and start conversations with regards to your needs from
16yrs+.
For young people with less complex health needs the team will contact
the adult services start conversations with regards to your needs from
17yrs+.
The move from children’s to adult services usually happens on your 18th
Birthday if you are still at school or as you leave school. If you leave
school before then this may be done earlier.
To help us plan we will need to share information about you with other
people, for example adult services. We will ask for your consent to share
your information.
Your health team will consider other aspects of health and tell you about
how to:
• See a GP
• Get an eye test
• Get a check on your teeth
If you have a learning disability at 14 yrs you can go to the GP for an
annual check-up. We can tell you how to do this.
If your health team feel they can’t help you, they may wish to refer you to
a different service or show you other forms to complete that will help you
to get what you need as you move into adult life.
To help with difficult decisions try to “Ask 3 questions”
1. What are my options/choices?
2. What are the pros and cons of those options/choices?
3. Who can help me to make a decision?
Please bring this leaflet with you to health appointments – to support you to
ask any questions and help your health team to develop your transition plan.
