Safety recommendation
HSSIB recommends that the Department of Health and Social Care works across government to identify opportunities to support closer cooperation between local government, education and health systems for the safe and effective transition of young people into adulthood. This is to ensure alignment, equity of access, and clear responsibility and accountability for their health, education and social support that spans the ages of 16 to 25. Cross governmental work would be supported by the adoption of consistent language for age ranges of children, young people, and adults.
Response:
An effective response to this recommendation requires cross-government working and covers areas which are the responsibility of other departments. Therefore, the Department of Health and Social Care will explore cross-government approaches to the transition from young people to adulthood as part of implementing actions from the priority government work on the missions and our 10 year health plan. We will seek to include transitions as part of the outputs from three of the Government’s five cross-government Missions: Building an NHS Fit for the Future, Breaking Down Barriers to Opportunity, and Safer Streets.
Action planned to deliver safety recommendation:
- Consideration of transition to adulthood as part of our actions from the cross-government missions and 10 year health plan, by Summer 2025. Resources in place to deliver actions: Officials in DHSC Children and Young People Mental Health Team. Other dependencies identified: Outputs from cross-government missions and 10 year health plan.
Response received on 24 March 2025.