What is a transition programme?
An Adolescent and Young Adult Transition Programme involves young people and their family/caregiver(s) and healthcare teams working through a collection of units to help prepare and support young people throughout the transition period; well before transfer of care to adult services occurs and continuing up until a young person reaches independence. The units within the programme will generally cover important topics that help young people and their families identify some of the key skills and information needed to make the transition and integration into adult services a positive experience. Some of these topics may be supported with resources that can be downloaded and printed. Some will simply be discussed during face to face encounters with the healthcare team. Transition programmes will not be the same for all services but most services will cover the following information.
Key topics
Adolescent transition
Changing roles and responsibilities
Goal setting for transition
GP involvement in health
Self-management
Developing an individualised transition plan
Goal setting
Health information
Confidentiality, trust and respect
Spending some time alone with health professionals during consultations
Peer support
Adolescent health concerns
Risk taking and choices
Drugs and alcohol
Sexuality and body image
Educational and vocational support
Goals in education
Career options
Navigating health care services
Scheduling and attending appointments
Preparation for transfer
Information about new services
Information about transfer process
Meeting and working with new teams
Getting familiar with new places
Transfer of care
Consent for sharing of information
Transition plan
Information about first appointment
Information about emergency care whilst waiting for first appointment
Settling into adult services
Welcome pack or process
Transition plan review
Goal setting