Young people in transition

Transition is the period when young people with additional support needs such as a learning disability, autism, sensory impairment, mental health issues, exceptional care needs and young people in care (among many others) go from being children to young adults, from attending school to going to college, or when their engagement with social care service shifts from children and families to adult services.

Transitions process

The transition is an active process that unfolds over a number of years rather than being a single event like leaving school. It is equally important to plan and support later transitions such as leaving college.

  • transitions for young people with additional support needs happen concurrently across a range of services including health, education, housing and welfare
  • a smooth transition process happens when all organisations involved have a shared understanding of how the support they provide contributes to the overall well-being of the young person
  • at present those young people, with additional support needs, who are eligible for social work services get a Social Worker or care  manager to support them through the transitions period
  • if the young person meets the criteria to receive support from social work services, the Social Worker or Care Manager will meet with the young person and their family or carers and they will carry out an assessment of the young person’s support needs
  • once the assessment is completed the young person is allocated a budget, and then the young person and their family work with the Social Worker or Care Manager to see what they would like to spend their allocated budget on
  • the plan must reflect the young person’s desired “outcomes” (for example being supported to live more independently, maintaining and building friendships, further education etc.)
  • The Social Worker or care manager will build a picture of the young person and what they would like to do with the next phase of their life - this information will then be used to formulate a support plan which outlines exactly what the young person’s budget will be spent on, and will clearly show how the young person’s outcomes will be met with the plan
  • the Social Worker or care manager can refer to the Local Area Co-ordinations Teams based in the North, East, South and North West of the city
  • the Local Area Co-ordinators, or LACs for short, can also work with the young person and their families to help them see what opportunities are available in their local communities
  • The LACs can also support young people to visit various organisations, venues, clubs etc. in their local area and once the young person has decided on what they would like to achieve the LACs can develop plans within the budget and the young person and their family can decide which one best meets, the young person’s needs, dreams and aspirations
  • LACs are also working with local community resources to support young people aged 16 to 25 years old to develop relationships with other young people, develop social skills, increase self-confidence and be a visible part of the community
  • this can help them to meet some of their outcomes in their support plan
  • young people with additional support needs who are not eligible for social work services can access the LAC’s service through Social Workers or care managers who can signpost them to various organisations, venues, clubs etc. provide them with information about what’s on in their local communities so that they are playing an active part in those communities, helping to bring down barriers and promote social inclusion

If young people and families are unclear whether they are eligible they can contact Health or Social Care Connect:

  • phone 0141 287 0555
  • address
    Health and Social Care Connect
    Glasgow City Council
    PO Box 26845
    Glasgow