Birmingham City Council’s created the Transitions and Preparation for Adulthood Service in January 2023. It combines the statutory Transitions Team, which supports young people with a learning disability or physical disability with assessment and care, and the new non-statutory Preparation for Adulthood (PFA) service. The combined service was developed following a successful two-year proof of concept trialling the PFA service, which demonstrated positive outcomes for the young people it supported. Young people eligible for support under PFA included those aged 14-25 with additional needs transitioning to adulthood, including care leavers, those at risk of homelessness or interaction with the criminal justice system, and parental or personal mental health issues.
Reflecting the whole-council approach which centres prevention rather than crisis, the new Transitions and Preparation for Adulthood Service merges these two services with a new tiered offer to young people aged 14-25. This continues to offer support to those with complex needs but also has an offer for young people who do not meet statutory thresholds but have factors impacting their ability to live independently both the short-term and longer-term. This might include those struggling with isolation, poor physical or mental health, difficulty accessing employment, those at risk of homeless or exploitation. The service works collaboratively with young people for a maximum of six months via an integrated multi-agency approach, involving one-to-one coaching, goal setting, group work and signposting and connection to other services. It centres on four key areas: employability and financial independence, independent living, health and wellbeing and friendship, relationships and community inclusion.
This unique approach has been widely commended, with the PFA service recognised as an example of good practice in a recent Department of Health and Social Care report on the importance of transitional safeguarding within adult social work. Outcomes of the PFA service included young people supported finding employment, housing, friendship and being able to better access health service and it is hoped these outcomes will be replicated among the wider group accessing this service.
The new combined service follows an invest to save model, and it expected to save the council £2.3m by March 2025. It is expected that this cohort will need less system support later down the line. By intervening early, the Transitions and Preparation for Adulthood Service aims to improve life outcomes for those it supports, increasing resilience, independence and economic and social wellbeing and improve quality of life.
You can find out more about the service by watching this video. https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50287/other_adult_care_services_and_support/1400/preparation_for_adulthood