Rationale

‘ Children and young people are more vulnerable to mental health problems at times of important change in their lives. For example, change of home or household, when they are transferring from primary to secondary school, from school to other settings, from care settings to independent living, and between services for young people and those for adults’.

Young people and their parents/carers should experience a smooth transition from CAMH services. The young person’s existing ICP should provide the necessary link to adult services. At this transition point, there will be more emphasis on the support that can be provided outwith families and within communities. Young people’s needs should be seen in terms of what they require, what can be offered and who can support them. Young people need to be fully involved in any decisions made to help them. Those young people who leave school and are not in education, employment or training schemes and are too young to be referred to adult services, may be particularly vulnerable at this time. ‘Young people must get the support they need to find out about, engage with and sustain education, employment and training options’. At this stage, it may be useful to consider vocational readiness assessment.

‘ Careful and early collaborative planning is required across agencies and boundaries, to minimise distress and, where appropriate, ensure continuity of care. Careful planning is particularly important where transitions involve a child or young person with additional support needs’.