Transition and Moving On

The London Borough of Hounslow has a commitment to effective joint working and co-operation and there are a number of groups running to inform and advise Professionals about individuals and their strengths and needs as well as putting in place structures to help departments work together (The 'Moving On' Protocol).

The protocol helps describe who should do what, and when, in order to make sure that transition/ 'Moving On' works well for young people and their families.

The process of leaving children's services and joining adult services is referred to as 'Moving On'.

Families and young people begin to explore future options when the young person turns 14, via school and short break reviews. At this early stage the process is about understanding that Moving On will occur in the future. When the young person becomes 16 Children's Social Care will arrange for an adult services worker to meet the young person and his/her parents.

Young people cease to receive a service at Westbrook Short Break Unit when they turn 18 years old.

As the young person nears their 18th birthday the preparation becomes more focused, with options for future living and short break arrangements explored. The social worker or Child In Need worker explores with the family what the options are and supports them with planning and information sharing. Each young person's Moving On journey is tailored to their needs, feelings and wishes. The process of Moving On can be an exciting but anxious time for families and young people and so staff at Westbrook must be sensitive to the emotional and logistic changes which they face.

Key workers at Westbrook support the Moving On process by:

• Attending school and short break reviews and contributing relevant information from their work with the young person;
• Following the plans and processes put in place and agreed by the young person, their family and relevant professionals;
• Preparing the young person to move on from Westbrook with appropriate count down materials, such as calendars, visual prompts and social stories (in conjunction with appropriate professionals and the family);
• Where appropriate and agreed by the Unit manager, visiting identified establishments with the young person, for taster or tea visits;
• Representing this process in the young person's life story work, with photos and mementoes of visits to establishments as prompts and reminders;
• Representing the views of the young person about Moving On as communicated to them;
• If a keyworker feels that any aspect of the Moving On process is not progressing in a suitable manner, with reference to the needs of the young person they must discuss this first with their supervisor or Unit manager;
• Preparing a leaving celebration and purchasing a gift from Westbrook for the young person, paid for using petty cash. Where possible the young person should choose their gift and good bye party;
• Sharing information (in line with consents and information sharing guidance) with identified establishments about the young person, such as the activities they enjoy, the skills and relationships they have developed and the outings they enjoy- keyworkers must be cautious around the technical information, such as medication needs they share as this information should be communicated by the young person's family and relevant medical professionals for continuity and accuracy of care;
• Where a young person has developed particular friendships with other young people, their keyworker(s) should liaise with the families of each young person to find a way for the young people to keep in touch, such as via e-mail or community activities;
• Young people may Move On from Westbrook prior to their 18th birthday and in this circumstance keyworkers must follow the above guidance.