Transitions (Preparing for Adulthood)

Transition means that once you become an adult at the age of 18 you will have different teams providing you with Education, Health and Social Care, if eligible.

To make this a smooth transition, we start thinking about adulthood from age 14, but the process starts at age 16 so that the care and support will be in place by 18 years old.

This age-based flowchart sets out the transition process which will help you to prepare you and your child for adulthood.

0 plus

Your young person may be known to the following services and could be eligible for adult services.

Children’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Services include the Children with Disabilities Service (Social Care) and other Specialist Community Health Services for Children and Young People (Health).

Specialist Community Health Services for children and young people include:

• Redbridge Children’s Occupational Therapy (Health)
• Redbridge Children’s Physiotherapy (Health)
• Children’s Speech and Language Service (Health)
• Redbridge Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service (Health)
• Redbridge Community Paediatrics (Health)
• Access and Inclusion (Special Educational Needs) (Education)

13 to 14 years

Year 9 Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) Annual Review

If your young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), planning for adulthood will start from year 9 (age 13/14). This year 9 review should focus on Preparing for Adulthood (PFA) including:

• Employment;
• Independent Living;
• Good Health;
• Friendships, relationships and community participation.

Transition must be part of the Annual Review and pathway planning discussion related to Education, Health and Social Care Services.

If your young person has any diagnoses’ they must be communicated to the council and discussed at the Annual Review.

14 years

Annual Health Checks

Annual health checks are for adults and young people aged 14 or over with a learning disability, and should be scheduled yearly from 14 with their GP. For others with disabilities, general health checks should be considered as appropriate.

Continuing Healthcare Checklist

Children with Disabilities team will get in touch with you to complete a Continuing Healthcare checklist (CHC). You may need to keep a record of behaviours or health needs as evidence for the Continuing Healthcare checklist (CHC). The transition worker will need to sit with the parent/carer and complete the checklist.

Information and Advice

Explore opportunities with your young person, using the following resources:

• Local Offer website
• Redbridge Information, Advice and Support Service for Special Educational Needs Disabilities

15 to 16 year olds

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Preparing for Adulthood (PfA)

During the Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) annual review, discussion will be around pathway planning to either further education, employment or transition to adult services.

The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) team will provide further information regarding processes and formal placement consultation.

16 years plus

Information and Advice

Year 11 pupils in borough schools and according to their settings will receive information advice and guidance from Connexions on further education, training and employment options.

17 and a half years

Transition Assessment for Adult Social Care

If your young person is known to the Children with Disabilities Team, a Transition Assessment will take place to assess whether they are eligible for Adult Social Care services and support.

At this point, you will be expected to complete a Financial Assessment.

• If your young person meets the service criteria, a Care and Support Plan will be completed and the young person will be referred into the relevant service.

The Transition Assessment and the Care and Support Plan will be sent to you, along with the relevant contact details for Health and Adult Social Services. Where relevant, your young person’s GP will also receive a letter describing the update to service.

If a young person receives 100% Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) funding which begins on their 18^th birthday, they will not receive support from social care from their 18^th birthday, however there are circumstances where they may remain known to the Learning disability service. A outcome letter is sent to parents/carers by the Clinical Commissioning Group to advise what funding the young person is receiving.

• If a young person is not eligible to Adults Social Care, your young person can access universal services which you can find out more about either on Local Offer website or by contacting RIASS (information below).

Once a young person turns 18, if they have mental capacity they can make decisions as an adult. If a mental capacity assessment is completed and the young person is deemed they lack mental capacity a best interest meeting will be held, if parents don't have lasting power of attorney in relation to social welfare, finance and health.

NB. Mental Capacity Act completed and information on Deputyship and COP provided where necessary

NB. Carer’s Assessment will be offered to parents

18 years and over

Redbridge Adults Community Learning Disability Service

This can be commenced from the age of 17.5 years onwards providing necessary supporting information to establish the persons meets the service criteria and clients’ needs could be met by the specialist Learning Disability service. Where person meets the service criteria, he/she are eligible for support from age 18 onwards.

The referral will require reports/necessary supporting evidences to help establish if the person would meet the criteria for the Learning Disability service. Referring professionals must ensure respective professionals within children’s health and social care systems are aware of this referral and must provide necessary evidencing documentations/professional reports to avoid delays in processes and reaching a final decision of eligibility to Learning Disability service.

Based on their needs, a range of support could be offered, ie:

• LD Psychiatry
• LD Psychology & Art Therapy
• LD Physiotherapy
• LD Occupational Therapy
• LD Speech & Language Therapy
• LD Nursing
• LD Social Worker

NB. Even if an individual has a Learning Disability, it doesn’t make them automatically eligible for this service – their case may be managed by the Community Health and Social Care teams. The referrer must ensure supporting documentation/reports provided to help client meets the LD service criteria.

If your young person continues education up to the age of 24, and has access to relevant health professionals at a education establishment, you should continue to seek support from them unless there is a need for Learning Disability health colleagues to joint work or take over.

Community Health and Social Care

Integrated service for health and adult social care, jointly provided by NELFT and London Borough of Redbridge.

Mental Health Services

• IAPT Service (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) / Talking Therapies
• Adult Community Recovery Teams

Adult Mental Health provide care coordination of adults with severe and enduring mental disorders.

These services are only accessed through referral by a professional, i.e. EWMHS/ GP, into the Access and Assessment Team before being allocated.

The ASD Assessment Service

This service carries out assessments and diagnoses for adults over 18 with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

You can be referred by a mental health professional. A GP will refer to the access service. 

At present, there is no on-going therapy following assessment.

Education Health and Care Plan Annual Review

A young person will have an annual Education Health and Care Plan review to see if they are meeting agreed outcomes and how best to support them to continue to do so.

It is important to note that there will not be an allocated worker in Adults at the point of transfer, but there are contact details below for each of the localities and will also be on a letter sent to you.

For those wishing to continue studying, it often involves the change from school to post-16 education settings, such as sixth form, college and university. There are many opportunities for young people to continue studying. Click here to read more about what's available in Redbridge for young people over 16 with SEND.

For young people who wish to find employment, there are local services available to provide support. Connexions Personal Advisors and the Job Centre Plus Disability Employment Advisors can assist young people in finding employment and training opportunities in local businesses and organisations.

The Redbridge Connexions Team provides careers information, advice and guidance on further education (both further and higher education), training (apprenticeships, traineeships) and employment options, to young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), young people at risk of becoming NEET and young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities (SEND). This can include supported employment options and some young people with Education and Health Care plans (EHCPs) can access Supported Internships via education. They work with young people aged 15 to 19 (up to age 25 for young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities) who live in Redbridge.

Children with Disabilities

020 8708 6092 | cwdtduty@redbridge.gov.uk

Redbridge Adults Community Learning Disability Service

020 8708 2318 (for Health Referrals) | Referral via MyLife

Connexions

020 8708 2600 | connexions@redbridge.gov.uk

First Contact Team (Adults)

020 8708 7333

Redbridge EWMHS

0300 555 1182

Redbridge Information, Advice and Support Service for Special Educational Needs & Disability

020 8708 8922 | redbridgeiass.org.uk/

SEND Preparing for Adulthood Team

post16senteam@redbridge.gov.uk

Specialist Community Health Services for Children and Young People

0300 300 1619 | nem-tr.redbridge.paediatrics@nhs.net

This checklist sets out the transition process which will help you to prepare you and your child for adulthood.

13 to 14 years

Make sure you attend Annual EHCP Reviews to 19 years old as held at your young person’s school. EHC plans must include provision to assist in preparing for adulthood from Year 9.

Make sure that your young person has their Annual Health Check from 14/ is seen by relevant health professionals. Keep a record of any information about their diagnosis.

Check out the Redbridge SEND Local Offer – our dedicated website which gives children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities and their families information about what support services are available in the local area.

16 years plus

Attend Transition Support Group sessions

Visit any colleges or day services that your young person may be interested in attending

Contact Connexions or school to explore options around career advice

17 and a half years plus

Ensure you know the name and contact details of the worker who will be completing the Transition Assessment for your young person.

If your young person is eligible for Adult Social Care, complete the Financial Assessment form

If your young person is known to a health service e.g. EWMHS/CAMHS professionals, paediatrics, genetics, other specialist consultants, Nursing, Allied Health Professionals – SLT, Physio, OT), ensure you have their latest assessment/ reports are available ready for the Transition Assessment

Ensure you have an updated version of your young person’s Hospital Passport

If your young person meets the service criteria for Redbridge Adults Community Learning Disability Service. All new referrals to Redbridge Adults Community Learning Disability Service is done through multiple ways based on who is initiating the referral and needs to provide supporting evidences the person has learning disability. Some of the recognised ways person could be referred to Learning Disability service is as follows:

• From Any of Redbridge Children’s Social Services
• From Any Redbridge Children or Adults NELFT Health Professionals
• From Any Redbridge Adults Social Care
• From Family member – Redbridge MyLife Contact Form or via Telephone to First Contact Service on 020 8708 7333 (for social care) and 020 8708 2318 (for Health Referrals)
• From the young person- Redbridge MyLife Contact Form or via Telephone to First Contact Service on 020 8708 7333 (for social care) and 020 8708 2318 (for Health Referrals)
• From Outside of the Borough (Family/GP/Self/Professionals/Care Homes) Redbridge MyLife Contact Form or via Telephone to First Contact Service on 020 8708 7333 (for social care) and 020 8708 2318 (for Health Referrals)
• From GP: Redbridge MyLife Contact Form or via Telephone to First Contact Service on 020 8708 7333 (for social care) and 020 8708 2318 (for Health Referrals)
• From Acute Hospitals and None NELFT Hospitals - Redbridge MyLife Contact Form or via Telephone to First Contact Service on 020 8708 7333 (for social care) and 020 8708 2318 (for Health Referrals)
• From Care Homes in Redbridge or Outside of Redbridge - Redbridge MyLife Contact Form or via Telephone to First Contact Service on 020 8708 7333 (for social care) and 020 8708 2318 (for Health Referrals)
• From any Mental Health Units/Forensic Services in or Outside of Redbridge - Redbridge MyLife Contact Form or via Telephone to First Contact Service on 020 8708 7333 (for social care) and 020 8708 2318 (for Health Referrals)

RIASS (Redbridge Information, Advise and Support Service) in partnership with CWDT LBR (Children with Disabilities Team LBR) are creating a NEW Transition Support Group for parents/carers and young people who are moving between children's and adult social services.

The NEW Transition Support Group will be different from the previous sessions, held earlier this year. The NEW Group will be led by parents/carers with support from RIASS and CWDT. The Group can meet once a month and be flexible around times.

We can invite guest speakers on topics of interest and areas or needs, and we can look at arranging an in-person coffee morning, where parents/carers and young people can meet each other.

This is YOUR support group, and we want to make sure that you receive the support you need to make this transfer as smooth as possible for both you and your young person.

Click here to visit the Transition Support Group Page for more information.

Q. Will I continue to get the same services I get once I am 18?

Children’s services work within the framework of the Children Act and adult services work within the framework of the Care Act.  The services and eligibility criteria are different. This means that some children who currently receive services under the Children Act may not be meet the criteria under the Care Act and therefore may not be eligible for Adult services. Eligibility will need to be determined by means of assessment.

Q. Why do things need to change?

In Redbridge, Social Care services are provided by the people directorate, with teams specialising in either children’s or adult services.  Children usually transition from children services to adult services at the age of 18.

Q. Will my Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) continue?

In line with preparing young people for adulthood, a local authority must not cease an EHC plan simply because a young person is aged 19 or over. Young people with EHC plans may need longer in education or training to achieve their outcomes and make an effective transition into adulthood. However, this position does not mean that there is an automatic entitlement to continued support at age 19 or an expectation that those with an EHC plan should all remain in education until age 25. A local authority may cease a plan for a 19- to 25-year-old if it decides that it is no longer necessary for the EHC plan to be maintained.

Further information can be found at the following link: 

A Quick Guide to Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans

Q. Will I be able to continue with my education in adults social care? 

Your needs will be assessed and a care and support plan will be developed to provide for those eligible needs, this may include support to attend college.

Q.  What careers advise is available to me?

The Redbridge Connexions Team provides information, advice and guidance to vulnerable young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), young people at risk of becoming NEET and young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities.

Connexions work with young people aged 13 to 19 (up to age 25 for young people with Special Educational Needs and disabilities) who live in Redbridge.

To book an appointment with a personal adviser call 020 8708 2600. Please leave a message with your name and phone number

Work Redbridge is a partnership of over 30 local providers. The project is designed to assist those residents of the borough looking for employment support, training or volunteering opportunities as well as local businesses looking for business support.

Services include the following: 

• Help finding a job
• Latest vacancies
• CV writing tips
• Training courses
• Apprenticeships
• ESOL conversation clubs
• Events and workshops
• Volunteering
• Start or grow a business
• Help finding new staff
• Work Redbridge eNewsletter
• Work experience and internship application form

The link to Work Redbridge internet page is: Work Redbridge

Q.  Can I remain in my foster placement or Staying Put? 

There is a Shared Lives programme within Adults which is similar to the foster placement and arrangements can be made to continue the foster placement as a Shared Lives placement. Further details can be found on the Shared Life page on Mylife: Shared Lives (Adult Family Placements)

Shared Lives is an alternative care solution for adults which is available to both Redbridge and Waltham Forest residents. It enables people with learning disability to stay in a family home and enjoy being part of a caring community environment.

The Shares Lives Programme is a national scheme. Respite placements are available and appropriate support is given depending on individual needs after an assessment.

People in need of placement who are not already place with a carer, will meet potential carers first to ensure a proper match based on the needs of the service user and the carers. This service can offer day, evening or overnight respite care as well as short or long-term care. 

Staying put is also an option. This is when a young person, after ceasing to be Looked After, remains living with the former foster carer beyond the age of 18. Support for this placement is provided by the Leaving Care Team and the Fostering Service.

Q.  Will I have one social worker working with me?

You will have one social worker working with you during the assessment and development of the care plan. You will have a Link Worker who will provide information and local resources for parents and young people in advance of transition.

Once the plan is in place, the case will be transferred for annual review and the case will be closed to the individual worker.  Whilst we seek to provide a consistent service, we cannot always guarantee that the review will be allocated to the same worker. 

Q.  How often will I be reviewed? 

People with Adult Social Care packages will usually have those packages reviewed once a year.

Q.  Who do I contact if I have questions about Adults Social Care ? 

Adults are integrated with health and the services are organised through four Health and Social Care services aligned to GP clusters.  The First Contact team which is the first point of contact for people who do not have a service will be able to answer any questions.

The first contact team is based at Lynton House Floor 4 Rear, Lynton House, 255 -259 High Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1NN. Tel: 0208 708 7333.

Q.  What does integrated team mean ? 

The integrated teams are Health and Adult Social Services (HASS) teams, who work together as one team to provide health and adult social care services.  The teams include Nurses, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Community Matrons and Social Care Assistants.

Q.  Will I have to pay for the service? 

All people receiving Adult Social Services (ASS) will need to have a financial assessment, which is based on the income you receive and any savings you made you have.  This assessment will be used to determine the level of charges if any you have to pay.  Further information is available at the following: Contributing to Social Care Services

Q.  How much will I have to pay?  

This will be dependent on your savings and your level of income.  Further details about charges is available at the following: Contributing to Social Care Services