Health and social care for young people with SEND

Transferring to adult health service

Here are some useful points and tips about transferring to adult health services:

• One of the main differences between children's and adult health services is the amount of independence you will be given. This means that you will need to learn about your condition, so that you can be more involved in your care and make decisions for yourself.
• You will be given information about your condition and know how to keep yourself well. Although this can be scary, it is also good to have more control over your health and the care you are given.
• When you are asked to make decisions about your health, you will be given all the information you need to make the right choice. You can always ask questions and let the health staff know if you are not sure about anything. They will make sure that you understand everything that might be involved. If there is something you are not sure of you can always ask them to write it down for you.
• Although you, rather than your parents or carers, will be asked to make decisions, you can still ask their advice before making your choice.
• During appointments or admissions, doctors, nurses and other staff should spend more time talking to you rather than to your parents. Lots of people take family members, carers or friends along for support at important appointments.
• If you go into an appointment on your own, you can still ask your parents and carers for advice on what questions to ask before you go into the clinic room. It can sometimes be useful to bring a written list of questions with you to appointments.
• If you are admitted to an adult hospital, you might not be able to have someone stay overnight with you. Although the visiting times might be shorter, your family, carers and friends will still be able to visit you and speak to you on the telephone.

You can find more information and guidance about transferring from children’s to adult health services, including mental health services, on the NHS website.

We've set out a Social Care Planning for Adulthood Pathway, to explain how social care teams work together to plan for a young person's future from age 14 onwards.

Transferring to adult social care

Adult social care provides personalised, practical support for people over 18. It supports them to live their lives the way they want. It preserves dignity and keeps people independent. People who need care should have the choice, flexibility and control to live their lives the way they want. The Government, local authorities, and service providers all have a duty to make sure this happens. An adult social care assessment can help you find out what support you need and what help is available to you.

If you qualify for adult social care support, you can have a financial assessment that will help decide if you have enough money for what you need - you could receive a personal budget from adult social care. To find out if you are eligible for support, download our easy-read Support for Young People Guide.

If you may require support post-18, you can self-refer to adult social care. Or you can ask any professional involved with you or your family/carer to complete the referral on your behalf. The referral for young people in transition to adult social care can be used up to the 21st birthday. For any later referrals please contact adult social care directly on 01332 640777.

Based on the information provided in the referral form your case will be passed on to the most appropriate adult social care team, for example, Preparing for adulthood, Adult Mental Health or the Community Teams.

Download the Adult social care referral for transition cases