Moving to adult health and social care
Moving from children's health and social care services is a gradual process. It typically begins around the age of 13 to 14.
Who will help and support
A different team usually supports adults. This team will often work differently from children’s services.
If the team supporting you determines that you no longer require assistance from a service, they may discharge you. They will provide you with advice on who to contact for support when you need it.
Help from your GP or specialist teams
Your GP and specialist teams should talk about your transition to adult services. They will help you with:
- managing your condition
- learning about your treatment
- gaining the confidence to ask questions and be involved in decisions about your care
- Knowing when to get help and who to contact in an emergency
- staying informed about any support networks available
Some other services will arrange one or more appointments where your new health worker attends with your current worker. This is so that you can meet them and they can be clear about your needs and plans.
You may not always need to move into an adult service. This will be discussed with you before you leave a service. You can always refer to your GP later if you have any concerns.
If you are transferring to an adult service for your support needs to continue, the children's service will transfer you to the new service. This transfer may be by:
- letter or report as an introduction,
- or with an appointment with both the children’s and the adult service.
The NHS website has information about the process of moving to the adult mental health team.
Some Buckinghamshire health services use a programme called Ready Steady Go Hello. The programme is for people with long-term health conditions. It provides help and support to address any concerns you have.
Care Plan
If we decide that you should get adult social care, we will write a support plan based on your needs.
The support plan will include:
- details on how money from a personal budget or direct payments will be spent to give you the care you need, and who will manage this money
- details on things that are important to you, so that we know how to help you get what you want from life
If you would like to write your own care plan and find local services and activities that meet your needs, you can work with an independent support broker.
Independent support brokers do not provide any SEND services themselves, but they can help you find the best people to support you and get the best prices.
Read more about independent support brokers and our team at the council.
Carer's assessment
If someone helps to care for you, they will be given a carer's assessment as part of your move to adult social care.
Parents and carers can read more about carer's assessments on the Care Advice Bucks website.
Preparing for an emergency
If you are unable to provide care having an emergency plan in place can help highlight what steps to be taken.
The emergency plan helps you to think about:
- who could be an emergency contact (ensure that you ask the person first)
- how you support the person you care for and what their needs are including any medication they need to take
- how long are you able to leave the person
- do you already have someone who could help out in an emergency
- what support can be put in place to help you
Having a plan reassures carers about the steps to be taken in an emergency.
Once you have a plan, you may wish to share it with the people you have identified as emergency contacts and family and friends so that they know what to do or who to contact.