If your child is finishing school this summer, you might be feeling overwhelmed. The transition to adult services for young people with complex needs is a big step and it can feel like there are more questions than answers.Every year around this time, we hear from families who suddenly realise that the next chapter is approaching fast and they’re not quite sure where to start. The move from children’s to adult services is one of the most significant transitions your young person will face, and for many families, it can feel like stepping into the unknown.
That’s exactly why we created our free Transitions Guide.
Why We Wrote This Guide
Here at Skybound, we’ve supported many families through the transition process—answering questions, helping make sense of the options, and often just being a calm voice when things feel too much.
We noticed that the same concerns came up again and again:
- “Where will my child go once school ends?”
- “How do I even begin planning for adulthood?”
- “What will change when they turn 18?”
We wanted to create something practical, easy to understand, and genuinely helpful. So, we brought together our knowledge, along with trusted external resources, to create a guide that families could keep and refer back to whenever they need it.
The Most Important Thing: Start Early
If there’s one piece of advice we could give to every family, it’s this: start thinking about transition early.
It’s common for planning to begin in Year 9, around age 14. That might feel too early, but the truth is:
the earlier you start, the more choice, control, and calm you’ll have.
Many families don’t realise that legal responsibilities shift significantly at 18. Access to services, funding, housing, and even decision-making rights all begin to change, and the more time you have to understand those changes, the smoother things will go.
What’s Inside the Guide
We’ve kept it straightforward and easy to use. Inside, you’ll find:
- An overview of what “transition” means
- What changes at 16 and 18 – and how to prepare
- Different care, housing, and education options
- Key information about benefits, direct payments and funding
- A breakdown of legal considerations like the Mental Capacity Act and deputyship
- Signposts to trusted organisations and next steps
Whether your child is 14 or nearly 18, this guide is for you.
You’re Not Alone in This
You’re not expected to figure it all out overnight. The Transitions Guide is here to help you take the first steps, get organised, and start to feel more in control of what comes next.
Wherever you are in the process, we hope it helps.
If you know another family who might find this useful, please feel free to share it. And if you have questions or need advice, we’re always happy to help—just get in touch here to book a chat.
