Still Lost in Transition?

Numerous policy directives highlight the need for planned and well-coordinated support to enable young people with long-term conditions and disabilities to negotiate the transition to adulthood, including making the leap from children-oriented to adult- centered health services. The journey is complex and multi-dimensional. For young people with a disability, long-term condition, or mental health problem there are additional challenges when transitioning between services with differences in expectations, delivery, and culture. This article explores findings from 6 case studies of young people who have recently experienced transition to adult health and care services, triangulating inter-related perspectives: those of young people, parents, and carers, and where possible the professionals involved. One of the case studies illustrates how the challenges are actually experienced. Analysis of emerging themes across the case studies leads to key messages from families to inform strategic development of services and practice

Found in Transition.

The journey to adulthood is complex and multi-dimensional. Young people may be independent in some spheres of their lives, but dependent in others. For young people with a disability, long-term condition, or mental health problem there are additional hurdles. As they move between health and social care services, they will find significant differences in expectations, delivery, and culture. At the same time, their own needs will be evolving. Despite a great deal of guidance on effective transition support, in 2014, England's Care Quality Commission highlighted a shortfall between policy and practice. The result is confusion and frustration for young people, their families, and the staff caring for them. Seamless transition to adult services is by no means a universal experience. Here the authors offer two case studies that triangulate inter-related perspectives: those of young people, parents and carers, and the professionals involved in successful models of transition support. The case studies illustrate how the challenge of transitioning to adult services is actually experienced and how, despite some concerns held by young people, parents, and carers, well-planned and coordinated transitions can have positive outcomes for the families involved