Chailey Heritage Foundation's Paula Marten on Transition to Adult Services

19 April 2024

How can Transition teams help parents of young people with complex neurodisabilities to navigate the complex - and often stressful - journey from school to adult services? Paula Marten, Assistant Headteacher, presented at a high-profile conference on 19th March 2024, sharing what happens at Chailey Heritage to support young people and their families who are seeking NHS Continuing Healthcare funding. NHS CHC (or ‘All-Age Continuing Care’) is a pivotal aspect of the Transition process. The conference, titled ‘Elevate your Transition Pathways from Paediatric to Adult Services’ took place at Etc Venues in Manchester, and was organised by the specialist events company SBK Healthcare. Paula joined a line-up of experts, including:

• Dr Reza Zaidi, Hon. National Advisor (NHS England)
• Jacqui Rogers, Transition Lead Nurse, Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
• Darren Meade, Youth Worker, Paediatric and Young Adult Diabetes Team, Leeds Teaching Hospitals
• Debra Stevens, Transition Lead, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

The feedback from the conference was positive. For example:

• ‘Very good content from all speakers. Particularly enjoyed Paula Marten’s talk’
• ‘All talks informative and good to gain an understanding of what other healthcare professionals/children’s services are doing with regards to transition’
• ‘Excellent delivery from all speakers’

After each presentation, professionals discussed how they can empower and support young people and their families, with a particular focus on clinical services. Colleagues from all over the United Kingdom shared insights, based on their everyday practice, expertise, and experience.

At Chailey Heritage Foundation, professionals involved with the Transition from school into adulthood recognise and understand the importance of good joint working. This is essential not only within the Foundation, but with external service providers too. If services work together well, with honest communication, prompt action, and genuine understanding of the needs of the young people, families have the best chance of feeling supported throughout this crucial period. The legislation relating to this is clear. The young person and their family are to be kept at the centre of all planning and processes. In Manchester on 19th March, it was evident just how strongly professionals working in the field believe in this and are committed to making sure it happens.

For more information about the information, advice, and guidance available at Chailey Heritage about Future Placement Planning, Continuing Healthcare and Transition to Adult Services, please contact Paula Marten or Lauren Humphreys, Family Liaison Worker.

Paula Marten, Assistant Head Teacher: pmarten@chf.org.uk