TfSL Evaluation of Transition Taskforce
FUNDER
Together for Short Lives
COLLABORATORS
Together for Short Lives (Lizzie Chambers, Richard Whateley, David Strudley) and Professor Jane Coad and Children and Families Research Team, Coventry University
PROJECT TEAM
- Lizzie Chambers (Together for Short Lives)
- Professor Jane Coad (PI Lead)
- Erica Brown
- Joanne Kelly
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Funded by the Department of Health, the project will evaluate the National Transition Taskforce, to explore transition services for young adults with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. The project aims to increase the capability and capacity of services to better support young people. At national level, TfSL will develop guidance and training that supports good transition and locally will build partnerships between adult and children’s services across England. CFR have been commissioned to evaluate the process using participatory action research and theory of change evaluation. The evaluation extends over 3 years. Data from Year 1 will be compared with data from Years 2 and 3.
RESEARCH IMPACT
At a national level, the transition taskforce have expanded and grown across the regions and have recruited a diverse selection of specialities and professions to attend their meetings. This has resulted in increased collaboration across sites and increased education on developments happening across the UK.
There is evidence that young people are becoming actively involved in RAG meetings and that they are working hard to raise awareness of their needs, which they hope will influence service development. RAGS are now established in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England (East and West Midlands, North East England, North West England, London, South Central England, Yorkshire and Humberside) and these groups are contributing to a mapping exercise of existing services.
The National Transition Taskforce has lobbied CCGs to provide continuing care for life-limited young people over 14 years of age. Discussions borne out of RAG membership have provided impetus to the work of the National Transition Taskforce. Several regions are involved in ground-breaking initiatives. For example, in East London, a training programme for young people (19-25 years) with complex care needs has been established including guidance on employment, housing, health and social care. Also in the West Midlands, the National Star College in Cheltenham is planning to extend education for young people up to the age of 25 years.
The evaluation for this project is ongoing.
