Children’s health services will start thinking about supporting the move – or transition – to adult health services when a young person reaches 14 years old. The move to adult health services may look different for each young person as their needs may be different. Their needs might change as they approach adulthood and what is age and developmentally appropriate for them as they get closer to 18 must be considered, as well as how adult health services work and what they can offer. Sometimes it may be more appropriate for a young person to be supported by an adult service earlier on. Professionals from some adult services may be able to join an appointment alongside the children’s service professional to support and inform the review and planning as a young person approaches 16-18 years old.
You should speak to the health care professionals involved in the care of your young person about what might happen when they turn 14/16/18 years old and how they will be supported to move to an adult service if that is needed. General information about transitions from children’s services to adult’s health care services can be found below.
- Visit the NHS website for reliable, general health information.
- The Health for Teens | Devon website has useful information on topics such as growing up, relationships, feelings and much more.
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust has some useful general information videos on healthy lifestyles.