transitional safeguarding

We now know that the human brain continues developing well into our mid‑twenties, and some research even suggests that people don’t fully reach adulthood until their thirties. Yet our ideas about “being an adult” vary wildly. For some, it’s paying bills, raising children, or taking on responsibilities their parents once held. Others never quite feel like adults at all.

So why do we draw such firm legal lines? At 18, you’re considered an adult in the eyes of the law. You can vote and buy alcohol at that age, yet you’re deemed mature enough to consent to sex at 16, and criminal responsibility begins as young as 10. How do these different thresholds make sense and what do they really say about adulthood?

what is transitional safeguarding?

Transitional safeguarding is an approach that involves children and adult services working together in recognising that the needs of young people do not change or stop when they reach 18, although the legislation, thresholds, and services supporting them often do.

It aims to prevent this ‘cliff edge’ effect and reduce the risks of abuse, neglect or exploitation as they transition to adulthood.

It begins with recognising that chronological age is not always an indicator of functional ability and there are developmental stages, with adulthood seen as a stage that will be achieved at different times by everyone.

Credit: C.Cocker

Unfortunately, it is often the people on the outside that don’t overlap who are later lost in the system and find it more difficult to access services. But we also need to find a balance between child protection and safeguarding as an adult giving the young person freedom to make mistakes, to learn and to become more independent in a supported way.

It requires a professionally curious approach in considering the impact previous experiences may have had and the type of support that a young person will need during their transition.

Transitional safeguarding requires a more fluid approach across all services, enabling underpinning principles and approaches to be applied at the right time to ensure a more tailored approach, albeit still within the relevant age-related legal framework.

The type of support that a young person will need during their transition to adulthood depends on a whole range of factors and is not determine by whether they have care and support needs.

why is transitional safeguarding important?

Young people may experience risks and harms that do not stop at 18 and factors that increase a child’s vulnerability often continue into adulthood, potentially resulting in unmet needs and costly later interventions.

Children and Adult safeguarding systems are conceptually and procedurally different, and are governed by different statutory frameworks, which can make the transition to adulthood difficult for young people facing ongoing risk.

It can be made worse by the notable differences between thresholds and the eligibility criteria of Children’s and Adults’ safeguarding. There needs to be a common culture and understanding across children’s and adults.

Learning has highlighted how ineffective transitional planning can contribute to young adults ‘slipping through the net’, often with tragic consequences. It is vital to share information between services in a proportionate and timely way so young people approaching 18 receive access to guidance, information and advice they will need as adults.

The young person should be fully involved in decisions about information sharing. It is important to note that transition into adulthood is a partnership and not only a social care issue. Multi agency partners need to be involved and support this work.

transitional safeguarding should

• Use the prevention principle - preventing/delaying/reducing the need for care and support.

• Use the wellbeing principle - promote individual wellbeing and have an accessible level of support.

• Be person led and decisions need to take into account personal circumstances.

• The response should be proportionate, the least intrusive and ensure needs are recognised.

• Enhanced involvement, voice and control of the young person.

• Follow the 6 principles of the care act - Empowerment, Prevention, Proportionality, Protection, Partnership, and Accountability.

• It is not a service transfer or an intervention, set of activities or a type of harm.

• It should involve systems leadership - a collective form with leadership as participation, crossing boundaries between roles.

our practices at asphaleia

1. joint working & early planning

• Collaborative planning with the Local Authority (LA) to manage move‑ons effectively.

• Regular meetings with LA and the young person (YP), especially before their 18th birthday, to review exit plans, wishes, and feelings.

• Discussions with the LA when a YP is not ready to move on at an age milestone.

  
  

2. preparing young people for independence

Practising baking skills!

• Gradual reduction of support as young people build confidence and independence.

• Increased support where gaps in knowledge or skills are identified.

• Developing independent living skills: budgeting, self‑care, domestic tasks, managing appointments, etc.

  
  

3. information, advice & guidance (IAG)

• Guidance on accommodation options and understanding the local offer.

• Support with benefits: explaining the system, helping them make claims.

• Assistance with housing applications and understanding available services.

• Providing IAG on leaving accommodation, including a 'Leaving asphaleia' booklet that is currently being developed, and a moving‑out checklist.

  
  

4. connecting young people to long-term support

• Introducing young people to relevant services that they can continue to use after moving on.

• Signposting to organisations that offer ongoing support across health, education, employment, and community wellbeing.

  
  

5. young person participation & voice

• Involving young people in planning their own support journey.

• Embedding young people voice in daily service delivery through:

  • Safeguarding forums

  • House meetings

  • Feedback processes

  • Ambassador roles

  • Young people contributions to support sessions

    
    

6. continuous support & review

• Close work with the LA throughout the placement to review progress and next steps.

• Planning ahead for transitions to reduce risk and ensure continuity of care.