Transition to adult learning disability services for parents and carers

What is transition?

In healthcare, we use the word transition to describe the process of preparing, planning and moving from children’s to adult services.

Transition is a gradual process that gives you, and everyone involved in your child’s care, time to get ready to move to adult services. It lets everyone discuss what healthcare and support is required now your child is becoming an adult.

Transition is about making plans with you and your child.

My child is between 16 and 18 years old, should their care be moving to adult services?

Your team should be planning for your child’s transition. If they have not mentioned it to you yet, ask them at your next appointment.

What are the normal transition arrangements?

As your child approaches 18 years old, staff from the CAMHS Learning Disability and Mental Health (LDMH) team will discuss your child’s transition with you.

They will meet with the staff from adult services to discus your child’s needs and how they can support.

Who can help us get ready?

The learning disability mental health (LDMH) team at CAMHS will be able to give you information and support by:

• discussing options for mental health support for once your child turns 18 years old
• advising you about how to talk with your child about transition
• making sure you know who to contact in an emergency
• making sure you know what support networks are available

Who might be involved?

People who might be involved include:

• your keyworker from the CAMHS LDMH team
• other members of the CAMHS LDMH team, if they have been involved with your child’s care. This might include: community learning disability nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, speech and language therapists
• professionals from the community learning disability team (adult service)
• social workers

What will be different in the adult services?

The community learning disability team is an umbrella organization which provides specialist services for adults with a learning disability.

Questions you might like to ask the LDMH team

What is the plan for my child’s transition?

When will my child move to adult services?

What is different about the adult service?

Can I meet the adult staff before my child leaves children’s services?

Can we visit the adult service to have a look around?

Is there anything I need to know before my child moves to the adult service?