A report to consider the refreshed Preparing for Adulthood Policy which outlines the ways in which Brighter Futures for Children (BFFC) and RBC’S Adult Social Care (ASC) service ensure that young people and their families have the appropriate support as they move into adulthood - with no gaps in the delivery of services.

The Committee received a report on the refreshed Preparing for Adulthood (PFA) Policy.  The report explained that the Policy had been implemented in 2019 and outlined the ways in which Brighter Futures for Children (BFFC) and RBC’S Adult Social Care (ASC) services ensured that young people and their families have the appropriate support as they move into adulthood with no gaps in the delivery of services.

The re refreshed policy encompassed the ways in which joint working between BFFC and ASC has evolved to better-support young people.

The policy has been refreshed to:

·       reflect changes in team structures;

·       reflect the timeframes in which joint working between BFFC and ASC is expected to be completed;

·       reflect changes to roles and responsibilities.

It has also been amended in line with feedback received during a public consultation that took place from 19 April to 18 May 2024 on the draft refresh.

In response to feedback from the consultation the policy was amended as follows:

·       Acronyms had been removed and/or clarified throughout the document, so that it was clear which services are being referred to.

·       Clarified that the young person’s voice, and that of their families and carers, were built into every stage of the assessment and care planning process; and that this was the vehicle for their needs and goals to be heard (and to inform) the transitions planning process.

·       Clarified how any identified care needs (especially those which may require services that do not currently exist, or that are hard to procure) would be shared with commissioning teams in order to aid the development of any required services.

·       Clarified that there were no situations in which care and support would cease, or cease to be funded, in the event that the necessary steps within the transitions process had not been completed on time. When transitions from BFFC to ASC occur, the associated funding for meeting a young person’s care and support needs transfers from BFFC to ASC.

·       In Quarter 2 (2024/2025), the new Head of Service for LDA would also update the flowchart currently contained in the Policy in order to better explain the transitions pathways, where they can go for help and advice, and the route between services. This would also be added to the SEND and Family Information Service website. Alongside this, the RBC website would be reviewed and updated to include more information around the transitions process.

It was noted that progress on the Policy would be reported back to a future committee.

The Committee discussed the Policy, and it was requested that consideration be given to the age of young people and when they are not eligible for services.  It was noted that the aim of the policy would be to support parents and young people earlier in the process.

Resolved – That the revised Preparing for Adulthood Policy be adopted.