Agenda item

To note the Transitions report.

Claire Hooley and Gerard Taylor presented the item, noting that it had come from a request by members at the previous meeting. It was noted that this would be a process that takes time, and that the service was seeing increasingly complex cases which were causing a pressure on the budget. Transitions were described as the period of change in a young person’s life when they move between childhood and adulthood. It was noted that the service was moving away from using the term ‘transitions’, instead using ‘preparing for adulthood’.

It was highlighted that transitions were a key priority for the Oldham Safeguarding Adults Board (OSAB) in 2022/23 and an area of improvement in the Children’s SEND inspection in 2023. A key aim of the service was to improve systems and governance as well as ensuring a better service for children and young adults.

Previous phases of the Transitions Project were discussed, particularly phase 1 (2022-23) and phase 2 (2024). It was also noted that the 2023 OSAB Preparing for Adulthood Policy was being updated to reflect the current position across the partnership. It was highlighted that the process starts for young people at age 14.

The Transitions Hub was highlighted, a joint team between Children’s Social Care and Adult’s Social Care specifically for transitions cases, and the team structure of the Hub, the transitions process and wider themes of the transitions work were also noted.

It was highlighted that in the upcoming CQC visit, transitions was a key strength of the service. It was noted that although lots of work had been done in the last 12-18 months, there was more to do.

Members queried why the age for starting the process was 14. It was noted that many of the cases involved complex needs and that when thinking about the next four years, the young people will be clear on what their education, aspirations and career ideas will be. It was also noted that this process would replicate a stable family life and in preparing for life, the young people would be treated the same as everyone else. It was highlighted that 14 years old was a national recommendation and regarded as good practice, as well as giving young people and parents a chance to prepare. It was also noted that not every child in the social care system will transition into the adult services.

Members queried whether a monthly review of cases was practical and whether the service could achieve this. It was noted that it was the plan to do this and to start the process at an early age for continual support. It was highlighted that these monthly reviews would depend on individual circumstances and that it was an aspiration as it was an ongoing issue. It was noted that the policy was being reviewed. Members queried how far the service was from that frequency and it was noted that the review time varies by person but that they are fairly frequent.

Members noted the 175 transitions cases and asked how many of these were Adult Social Care cases and the annual cost and budget mitigations for these. Pressures of the budget were noted and it was highlighted that work was being done to address projected spends. It was noted that funding demands were unpredictable.

Members noted that the governance felt complex to manage a small team and queried whether data and information could be lost within the governance structure. It was noted that governance was not just about the transitions team, but was a component of it, and that work was being done to look at whole system working as this was a complex service area. It was highlighted that there was also oversight of the safeguarding boards and lots of coproduction, with residents and feedback forming an important part of the system.

Members queried how determinations were made and whether there were criteria to transitions. It was noted that children’s services would identify those who might need support, although it wasn’t always clear, and that care act assessments would also take place. It was highlighted that children could be added later.

Resolved: That the report be noted and request an update be brought during the next municipal year.