'Transition' is the term used to describe the period when a young person moves from adolescence into adulthood. During this time, there are many choices to be made that will affect and change a young person's life. Provisions and services also change for the young person experiencing this transition.
He or she will move to adult health services and may move from secondary to further education, or training or employment. Any support he or she receives, such as respite care, will be transferred to adult services.  For those young people who are 'looked after' byt the Local Authority, there may be a move to a new placement, such as supported lodgings or a flat.  All young people experience choices and challenges during adolescence.  However, young people with additional needs or disabilities may face greater challenges and different choices.

The transition process begins at school, when a young person is in Year 9 (13-14 years old). The young person's parents or carers are invited to attend a review meeting.
Other people who may work with the young person will be invited, such as a Connexions Personal Adviser (PA).  The Connexions Service will play an important role in your child's move into adulthood (See section 8.1).  A representative from the Health Service or Social Services may also be invited.  Any other person who may be able to contribute to the young person's future plans can be invited.

Transition Reviews enable everyone who is, or may need to be involved with a young person to work together, along with the young person and their parents and carers, to determine how best to meet the young person's needs and realise their personal goals.

Information supplied by everyone involved with the young person will be drawn together to make a Transition Plan.  The plan will identify potential future needs for services and also details action steps to be taken by the various agencies and individuals.  Once it has been drawn up the Local Education Authority must circulate it to parents, head teacher, and all other relevant people.

Transition planning is an ongoing process that begins at the Year 9 Transition Review and continues until the young person is an adult, linked to the relevant adult services.
The Transitional Plan is reviewed each year at the statutory annual review. The Plan will be amended and updated if necessary. There may be other meetings to oversee progress on the Plan, involving parents/ carers, the young person, and any involved professionals. Parents/ carers should be kept fully informed about these meetings.

Parent Partnership (Also see section 2.4) produces a booklet on Transition Planning.

Contact a Family (Also see sections 2.1, 8.1 & 12.2) has a factsheet, 'Transition in England and Wales', which contains a lot of detailed and very useful information.

As your young person moves into adulthood, his or her needs will change. The person(s) or agency who provide the services that your child uses may also change. During the transition period you need to start thinking about the future for your child.  Below are some of the options/issues you and your child may like to consider.

This is a period when your child might want independent support to help in making decisions about his or her future.

Contact Doncaster Advocacy for further help and advice (see section 8.2).

Another organisation that can provide a similar service is SYCIL's Enable Advocacy Service.

Your school or Sixth form may be your first point of contact when considering this option, but the Connexions Service, now called Nord Anglia Lifetime Development North East (see section 8.1), will be able to offer information and advice.  You can make an appointment outside of school with a Connexions Personal Advisor (PA) for independent advice.

Useful guides to specialist colleges for young people with disabilities are the National Specialist Colleges (NATSPEC) and Cope Directories and the Disabled Students Guide to University (all available at the Nord Anglia Lifetime Development and Connexions Centre).  Your Connexions PA will also be able to get hold of copies of prospectuses for you to look at.

You can also contact Doncaster College for advice on courses and other services available.

The Disability Employment Advisor at your local Job Centre can provide help and advice on paths to employment.  The Shaw Trust can also offer practical help and advice on finding work.

Social Education Centres (SEC's) offer a range of training and activities to help people with learning disabilities to make the best of themselves and their opportunities.  Work experience and vocational training can be arranged with educational organisations and local employers for those who are able to work at a more advanced level.

To find out more and to obtain a place at a Social Education Centre contact the Adult Learning Disabilities Team on:

Centres for Integrated Living exist to benefit disabled people by providing and/or encouraging the provision of services which facilitate independence in daily living activities, active participation in an full integration into society.

You could also contact the National Centre for Independent Living.

Benefits change after a child reaches the age of 16 years.  For information and advice on how this might affect your family, contact the Citizen's Advice Bureaux (CAB) on: (01302) 735225, Benefits Advice Unit, or Department for Work and Pensions Helpline (see section 10 for full details).

T.I.E also have a benefit booklet for the changes that may occur when the young person reaches 16 years of age (see section 8.4, 10.2 & 11.1).

For information about clubs and groups for young people see section 9.2.

The Cerebral Palsy organisation has an information pack aimed at adults - available from the CP Helpline:

NCCS can make an Assessment of Need for adults with disabilities.  This may be part of a young person's Transitional Plan - before they leave school, if appropriate.

General enquiries can be made to:

NCCS provide the following for adults with learning disabilities (following assessments):

• Residential Care

• Respite Care

• Home Care Services

• Social Education Centres

• Day Care Services

(Also see section 11)

If you would like to talk about services for adults with severe learning disabilities, please contact:

The Adult First Team at Doncaster Council are based at the Council House.  Contact them directly for information on services, referrals and assessments.

The Family Fund Trust has a website aimed at young people with additional needs and their parents/carers, containing information on money, work, education, transport, leisure and other useful information.

The Bridge offers help and advice on personal issues such as sexuality and substance abuse as well as hands on training to help prepare young people for adulthood and the future.