Committee publication · Engagement document · 14 April 2026
Transitions from child to adult services- Planning Grid
From: Health and Social Care Committee
Inquiry: The transition from child to adult health and social care services
Summary
This is a planning grid issued by the Health and Social Care Committee's Expert Panel to gather written submissions from stakeholders on transitions from child to adult health and social care services. It sets out six focus areas—timeliness, cross-service coordination, young people's involvement, workforce training, developmental independence, and equity—each structured around statements of intent, resourcing questions, effectiveness metrics, outcomes, appropriateness, and equality considerations.
Key findings
- Focus area 1 requires transition planning to begin by school year 9 (age 13–14) with no gaps in service provision during transfer, per Care Act 2014 sections 58 and 66.
- Focus area 2 mandates joint commissioning for young people with education, health and care plans and requires gap analyses to identify service shortfalls, particularly for neurodevelopmental disorders and cerebral palsy.
- Focus area 3 emphasises involving young people and carers in transition planning through peer support, advocacy, and co-production of policies, with parental involvement tailored to individual needs.
- Focus area 4 calls for staff training in adolescent development and transitional care, named workers to coordinate care, and designated senior executives and managers to champion transitions at organisational level.
- Focus areas 5 and 6 require developmentally appropriate, person-centred services addressing education, employment, housing and independence, delivered equitably to underserved groups with culturally competent communication tools.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Health and Social Care Committee Expert Panel, Local authorities, Health commissioners, Health and social care organisations, Child and adolescent mental health services, Primary care practices
Notable line
“Young people who will move from children's to adults' services start planning their transition with health and social care practitioners by school year”
Key Quotes
“Young people who will move from children's to adults' services start planning their transition with health and social care practitioners by school year 9 (aged 13 to 14 years), or immediately if they enter children's services after school year”
“Where the child has previously been receiving services, the local authority must continue to provide those services until [adult care and support is in place]”
“Jointly plan services for all young people making a transition from children's to adults' services. For young people with education, health and care plans, local authorities and health commissioners must jointly commission services”
“Carry out a gap analysis to identify and respond to the needs of young people who have been receiving support from children's services, including child and adolescent mental health services, but who are not able to get support from adult services”
“Adults' services should take into account the individual needs and wishes of the young person when involving parents or carers in assessment, planning and support”
“Each health and social care organisation, in both children's and adults' services supporting young people in transition, should nominate: 1 senior executive to be accountable for developing and publishing transition strategies and policies, 1 senior manager to be accountable for implementing transition strategies and policies”
“Use person-centred approaches to ensure that transition support addresses all relevant outcomes, including those related to education and employment, community inclusion, health and wellbeing, including emotional health, independent living and housing options”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗