Transitions from children to adults – Pembrokeshire County Council

Young people and their families transitioning from child to adult services face a period in their lives which can bring great confusion and anxiety. The uncertainty they experience when planning for their future can include their health and wellbeing, jobs and careers, friends and relationships, managing their own money and their next home. Trying to work out who they can turn to and what is the important information they need to know, before a young person with learning disabilities turns 18yrs of age can be a complex journey to navigate.

The Transitions from Child to Adult Services Pembrokeshire Project in partnership with the Pembrokeshire County Council Adults Services, focussed on the quality of information available to young people with learning disabilities and their families, and respite options.

This project aligns with the key principles of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. Two Senior Strategic Improvement IMPACT Coaches worked with our project partner and alongside young people with learning disabilities and their families. Focussing on ‘information’ they explored how people gain the knowledge they need as they transition between services and prepare for adulthood. 

Summary Report

IMPACT Factfile

Activities

  • Evidence gathering – we looked at the local landscape, and compared this to what works in other parts of the UK
  • Joined-up thinking – we identified members and established a Project Stakeholder Group, with members from Pembrokeshire and far beyond
  • Review of existing information – we investigated what information was available on transitioning from child to adult services, and explored where people look to find the information they need
  • Co-production strategy – like other IMPACT projects, we ensured co-production was an integral part of all our activities. We invited a group of experts by experience to join the stakeholder group and offered insights, guidance and knowledge.

Recommendations and Agreed Priorities

  • Collaborative working – the Transitions Together Group will be a multi-agency support network that leads and inspires others to question and find other ways of working, despite capacity and budgetary constraints
  • Co-production – maintain the increased citizen engagement to ensure co-production enables voice, choice and control for people
  • Further development of improved information resources, with easier access and navigation – using a variety of different methods, this will include the new co-designed ‘information tiles’ on the LA website on home, careers, education, money, friendships/relationships, health and wellbeing, what’s important to know, and who can help.
  • Increase training and learning for staff – adopt a variety of methods to inform, educate and signpost, including videos

Main Insights

From parent and young people interviews:

  • Every child is different, invest time, get to know the child, their abilities and the family. Enable them to have a voice in decisions about their future.
  • Provide consistent and regular support for families
  • Build confidence and trust in services through partnership working.  Involve us.
  • Provide timely and relevant information (eg factsheets, links to information, signpost). Providing early intervention, preventing escalation.
  • Training – for professionals and families, including: positive behaviour support, person-centred planning, finances, coproduction, implications of the Mental Capacity Act, post-education options for young people, community-based support, effective signposting, health and wellbeing, listening skills, holistic family support. Incorporate the ‘I Can I Will’ film in mandatory training for all new social workers.
  • Two workers, one from Child and one from Adult Services, working alongside the young person, ensuring smooth handover for families.
  • Keep our young people front and centre of the conversation.
  • Start transitions conversations with families from 14 years. Make transitions everyone’s responsibility.

“I don’t think much will change when I turn 18, but I do worry I won’t see my friends anymore when I leave school”.   Student.

“Feeling like there are prospects for our son’s future is life-affirming. So many systems feel impersonal, which can intensify isolation for families with ALN/LD”.

The little things (talking & feeling listened to) can make all the difference (feeling seen & heard)”.  Mum to a young person.

“Regular consistent contact is the difference between feeling supported to feeling like you’re completely on your own as your child becomes an adult…” Parent.

From our Stakeholder Group Meetings:

  • Real stories, real people transitioning between services and preparing for adulthood. To aid knowledge transfer, spark aspirational thinking.
  • Multi-agency collaborative work is needed.
  • Improved quality and accessibility of Information (for everyone).
  • Clear criteria.
  • More respite options and community-based activities for young people, and promotion of the existing respite options.

I Can, I Will

The ‘I Can I Will’ short film co-produced with young people and families tells the story of young people living in Pembrokeshire who, with the right support, have been empowered to pursue their dreams. It can be shared to inspire others to do the same. 

Meet Our Demonstrators: Emma Burton & Kathryn Morgan

Emma Burton

IMPACT stood out to me as an organisation that was passionate about making a difference; I was drawn to a vibrant, highly motivated group of people who truly understand the importance of hearing the voices of those seldom heard and are constantly striving to find ways to implement change that actively improves people’s lives.

I have worked in residential special education for over 20 years working with children with social, emotional and mental health needs.

    Kathryn Morgan

    In adult services, time, capacity and budget constraints can be a constant challenge but with like-minded people, a willingness and determination to succeed, there can be other ways to implement positive change.  It’s not always about finding new and different ways, it’s also about stopping existing working practices that may no longer be working or applicable. 

    I see my role in IMPACT as a unique opportunity to work with a forward-thinking, dynamic organisation, as well as its partners. There is a wealth of evidence of what works from across the UK, gathered from people with lived experience, research and practice knowledge, that can be explored, shared and implemented and I am delighted to be able to contribute to this innovative work. I am particularly passionate about coproduction and gathering real stories that highlight peoples’ experiences of what a good life can look like. 

    My background is in Retail Banking, Training, Fundraising Management and Strategic Improvement and Development Planning. My experience includes: Relationship, Change and Project Management with a particular passion for Coproduction, enabling people to play a pivotal role in decisions that ultimately affect them.