Building bridges: connecting families to adult services

The transition from paediatric to adult care is often described by young people and their families as one of the most stressful and under-supported phases in healthcare. Yet, there is strong evidence that effective transitional care programmes can significantly improve health outcomes.

In light of this, the Evelina London Community Paediatrics Team organised a multidisciplinary transition information event aimed at supporting young people with complex health needs across Lambeth and Southwark.

Parents and carers of young people with learning disabilities from all ten special needs schools in the two boroughs were invited. The event brought together representatives from 31 local organisations, including social care, primary care, specialist colleges, voluntary sector providers, and adult therapy teams – each hosting their own information stall.

The event began with a patient journey mapping activity, where families worked one-on-one with clinicians to identify the services they most needed support from during their child’s transition. Parents and carers were then guided to the relevant stalls for individual conversations with professionals from adult services.

To understand the event’s effectiveness, both parents and professionals were asked to complete pre- and post-event surveys. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

Before the event, nearly 60% of parents said they did not feel confident about their child’s transition to adult services. After attending, this dropped dramatically to just 2%, with nearly 80% of parents reporting that they now felt confident or very confident. Awareness of local adult services also improved markedly – prior to the event, 65% of parents said they were unaware of these services; afterwards, that number fell to just 7%. Importantly, 100% of attendees said the event met or exceeded their expectations.

Bringing local organisations together to support young people’s health and wellbeing is vital for creating a more supportive and inclusive environment. This is a key element in South East London Integrated Care System priorities for improving health and care aimed at improving outcomes and addressing inequalities.

South East London Integrated Care System vision and priorities for transforming health and care for people living in south east London focuses on ensuring parents, children and families receive the most effective support in early years and delivering more joined-up, convenient care, as well as better supporting people from marginalised communities.

In particular, this renewed commitment in ensuring education and health sectors are working better together to support pupils with complex needs will help to foster positive outcomes, including improved academic success, wellbeing, and social inclusion. This collaboration allows for a continued holistic approach to addressing the diverse needs of young people, which can range from physical disabilities to mental health challenges.

Melanie Hall-Judd, Headteacher of Heron Academy, commented:
“I was delighted to be part of the event, which offered an inclusive platform for parents and carers to navigate the challenges of transition and connect with essential support. The positive feedback from Heron parents highlights the significant difference the event has made for our pupils and their families. I commend the Evelina London Community Paediatrics Team for their collaboration with Heron, showcasing the importance of education and health sectors working together to support pupils with complex needs.”

Dr Hema Palanyiaya, Consultant Neurodevelopmental Paediatrician at Evelina London, reflected: “Genuine collaboration and integration between health and education are at the heart of improving the transition journey for young people. We wholeheartedly support such partnerships and believe they are key to the success of future initiatives for children and young people with additional needs.”

Learn more about the Evelina London Community Paediatrics Team.