Transition and Young People's Service
If you have a long-term health condition you will need to move from children’s services to adults’ services when you are about 18 years old.
‘Transition’ is the process of planning and preparing for your move to adult health care.
It is a gradual process. This gives everyone involved in your care time to talk with you about what you will need as an adult. This makes sure you are ready to make the move.
When you are about 14 years old you may be given a transition pack. This will include the ‘Ready, Steady, Go’ programme. More information about this is available below. Using this helps you think about what support you may need to learn how to manage your health. You will learn to be responsible for your care and make decisions that are right for you.
Whatever your plan, you will have time to make sure you feel ready.
The Transition and Young People’s Service works with doctors and nurses in our hospital to make sure they understand how to support young people better during this change. By working together, we believe we can make this move a good experience for everyone.
If you would like any further details, please contact our Roald Dahl Transition Nurse Specialist Charlotte Tuckett at charlotte.tuckett@dchft.nhs.uk or via 01305 255088 or 07385952427.
Local support
Dorset Council SEND Local Offer
Ready, Steady, Go’ programme
In healthcare, we use the word transition to describe the process of preparing, planning and moving from children’s to adult services.
We understand that moving away from a team of doctors and nurses you have been with for many years can be scary but hopefully, by getting involved in the transition process, we can empower you to feel more confident and happier about the move.
The Ready, Steady, Go programme aims to help you and your family gain the knowledge and skills to manage your condition into adulthood.
The programme can begin when you are around 14 years old, but the exact time is up to you and your health team. By the time you are on the green section (Go) you will probably be about 17/18 years old and looking forward to moving to the adult teams.
You can read more on the Ready, Steady, Go programme website, with some useful links below.
Transition: moving into adult care – Information for young people and families
When filling out the forms, please use our Transition Nurse Specialist’s email so she can receive a copy and offer support as necessary – charlotte.tuckett@dchft.nhs.uk
This is me, My Care Passport
The ‘This is me’ passport is designed to help you tell health professionals all about you, so you do not have to keep repeating yourself. It is another traffic light system! You can write it yourself, or with your parents/carers or health team. It helps health teams know important information about you so they can understand a little more about you and how best to look after you while you are in the hospital.
Download a care passport here.
Useful links
There is lots of other support and advice available to you if your long-term health condition means you are living with a disability.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP): What PIP is for – GOV.UK
Disability Rights UK | We are Disabled people working for an inclusive society
Disabled Students | Advice And Financial Support | UCAS
Job support if you have special educational needs or a disability | National Careers Service
Support for apprentices with learning difficulties and disabilities – GOV.UK
Children who are disabled social care – Dorset Council