Overview of Moving Forward to Adulthood
1.1 The Moving Forward to Adulthood Social Work team consists of a Team Manager (TM), Lead Practitioner (LP), Transitions Coordinators and Social Workers. The team undertake statutory duties under the Care Act (2014), Mental Capacity Act (2005), Mental Health Act (1983/2007) and other associated legislation.
1.2 Team Role
The team supports young people and Carers transitioning to adult services and works with children’s services to ensure robust and timely assessment and support planning. A representative from the transitions team attends the Next Steps Panel (NSP) weekly meetings with Children’s services and other relevant partners.
The transitions team ensures enhanced and timely support for Young People and Carers by screening for young people from the age of 14 years old, with diagnosed Special Educational Need (SEN) or disability, who may require care and support as they reach adulthood. The transitions team undertake assessments for individuals and Carers who have the appearance of needs for care and support, regardless of whether these needs will meet Care Act eligibility criteria from the age of 16+. The team work in line with Sefton councils waiting well framework as well as other relevant frameworks, policies and procedures in Adult Social Care & Health.
1.3 Moving forward to Adulthood Team interventions include :
- Assessing eligibility for adult services under the Care Act 2014, starting from age 17 years and 6 months old.
- Planning for long-term care and support needs, including housing, employment, health services, and community involvement.
- Ensuring continuity of care during the handover from children to adult teams.
- Delivering support that promotes choice, control, and independence in adulthood.
- Working jointly with children’s services to develop transition pathways and plans.
1.4 Moving forward to Adulthood Team is guided by following best practice
This team’s practice focus on the following key area for children and Young People:
- Start early (from age 14 or earlier if needs are known).
- Be person-centred: focus on the young person’s goals and aspirations.
- Ensure co-production with families and young people.
- Provide a named lead worker or coordinator.
- Plan for all domains: education, employment, housing, health, friendships, and community life.
- Monitor and evaluate outcomes post-transition
- focus on preparing young people—particularly those with SEND, complex needs, or who are looked after—to move into adulthood.
1.5 Moving Forward to Adulthood Team Aims
The aims of the team are:
- Improved access for young people, Carers and families to information about transition to adulthood with more effective access to assessment and
- Timely and effective consideration of the young persons need prior to transition, the impact on wellbeing and whether the young person is likely to have needs after they turn 18. To ensure that if so, what those needs are likely to be, and which are likely to meet the eligibility criteria.
- Appropriate and proportionate assessment which considers the complexity of the young persons need and how these needs impact on wellbeing.
- To focus on the outcomes which the young person or Carer wishes to achieve in day-to-day life and how care and support, and relevant services, can contribute to achieving them.
- To ensure robust consideration of the views and wishes that matter to the young person and to take a strengths-based approach to support planning.
- To enable holistic, person-centred assessments which address the young person in their entirety.
2. Principles
The key principles underpinning the Moving forward to Adulthood Team are:
Person centred transition planning: The young person is at the centre of the transition planning process, with choice and control over their future and a focus is on their needs, hopes and aspirations.
Early assessment and planning: Early assessment and transition planning which facilitates responsive forward planning. Timely adult social care assessments which enable appropriate planning and effectively anticipate and plan for the support needs of young people moving into adulthood.
Co-production: Young people and their families are recognised as partners in the process and are actively involved in planning their future.
Partnership working: Young people and their families and Carers are at the centre and a focus on improving life chances is promoted with all partners.
Provision of accessible information: Clear information shared with young people. Young people are encouraged to develop the skills and understanding they need to make informed choices.
Positive outcomes: Transition planning focused on life outcomes, promoting independence, and supporting young people to lead meaningful and enjoyable adult lives.
Information sharing, consent and capacity: Information sharing which supports an effective assessment and support planning process, and which fully considers needs and outcomes of the young person. Appropriate documentation of capacity and consent, talking to the young person about what information they want to share with other agencies.
Advocacy: Individuals are referred for an independent advocate in cases where they would have substantially difficulty participating in the transition assessment and there is no appropriate person to support them.
3. Legal Frameworks Supporting Moving to Adulthood:
- Children and Families Act 2014 – duties around Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), preparation for adulthood, and SEND support.
- Care Act 2014 – adult social care duties, including transition assessments for young people likely to have needs after turning 18.
- SEND Code of Practice – outlines responsibilities from age 14 onwards to support Preparing for Adulthood.
- NICE Guidelines (NG43) – promote coordinated transition planning across health and care systems.
3.1 Referral Criteria
The transitions team accepts referrals for:
- Young people aged 14+ with care and support needs
- Young people aged 16 + with care and support needs who are approaching transition
- Adult Carers of young people
- Young Carers
- Individuals aged 18-25 with an open EHCP
For those aged 14+ with significant needs, a referral will be accepted for monitoring and review. This will allow for effective planning as the transitions leads notify commissioning about what is needed in terms of future support and placements.
4. Referral Pathway
Cases are identified by the transitions team through attendance at Next Steps Plus Panel (NSP). ECHP panels, Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) teams, schools and other relevant professionals can also refer.
The young persons allocated worker completes a referral form (see appendix 1). Completed referral forms are sent via email to : New team email
Individuals over 18 can self-refer by calling 0345 140 0845 Monday to Thursday - 9am to 5.30pm, Friday - 9am to 5pm.
Professionals can request a Care Act assessment via the Make a referral
Requests for adult social care to attend EHCP reviews are sent to ASC xxxxadulthood@sefton.gov.uk