On the 15th of October, Heron and the medical team in Lambeth hosted the second Post-16 Transition Information Event.
The transition from paediatric to adult care is often cited by parents and young people as a stressful and challenging part of healthcare. For young people with complex health needs and their families, this move can be particularly daunting and overwhelming.
There is strong evidence that an effective transitional care programme can significantly improve health outcomes. To support families navigating this journey, the Community Paediatrics team at Evelina London organised a multidisciplinary Transition Information Event in partnership with a local special school, Heron Academy.
The event brought together a range of partner organisations and voluntary groups from across Lambeth and Southwark. Parents and carers of young people with complex health needs were invited to learn more about the processes and services involved in the transition to adult care.
During the event, each parent had the opportunity to work with a clinician who guided them in mapping out their transition journey and identifying the services most relevant to their child's needs. They were then able to engage directly with representatives from these adult services in one-to-one discussions.
The event featured contributions from social services, primary care teams, specialist colleges, voluntary organisations, mental health services, and adult therapy teams. The team also reached out to all 10 special needs schools in the area, ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach.
Melanie Hall-Judd from Heron Academy, one of the special needs schools involved in the project, shared: "As Head Teacher of Heron Academy, 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."
To assess the event's impact, both parents and professionals were asked to complete surveys before and after the event. Of the 100 responses received, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with nearly 80% of parents reporting that they now feel confident or very confident about their child's upcoming transition. Furthermore, 100% of attendees and professionals stated that the event met or exceeded their expectations.
Dr Hemavathy Palanyiaya, Consultant in Neurodevelopmental Paediatrics, reflected: "Genuine collaboration and integration between the health and education sectors are at the heart of making a real difference in the transition journey for young people. As a team, we feel truly honoured to play a part in this essential work and wholeheartedly encourage such partnerships to ensure the success of future initiatives for children and young people with additional needs."
A number of services came along; Patient Journey Mapping, Nido Volans (LSEC), Orchard Hill, Choices College, Southbank Colleges, The Park College, Special Educational Needs team, Inclusion and SEND standards team, Lambeth information, Advice & Support Service, Southwark, Information, Advice and Support Service, Adult With Learning Disabilities Team, Continence Team, 0-25 Disabilities Service (Adult Social Care), Carers Hub, Southwark Carers, Mental Health Learning Disabilities team and Socialising Angels
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