Transition services pilot judged a success

A pilot project to smooth the transition from children’s to
adults services for people with learning difficulties could be
extended nationally next year, the Valuing People support team has
announced.

The Person-Centred Planning in Transition project, run in four
London boroughs, aims to bring together agencies to improve
managing the switch.

Under the pilot, representatives from adult, children’s and
education services were brought together with families and young
people and an independent facilitator trained in person-centred
planning in transition review meetings in schools.

Harry Tuck, who as manager for children with disabilities at
Lambeth social services has run the pilot, told delegates:
“Transition is such an important phase, particularly for
those with complex needs requiring a lot of support. It can be hard
to bring together all the relevant strands – such as health
and education – to plan around what the young person really
wants. And this is what we have tried to address.”

Linda Jordan, Valuing People regional adviser for London, said the
Valuing People support team would be talking to the Department for
Education and Skills about extending the pilot
nationally.