Transition support and youth work
Growing into adulthood brings change for every young person. But for young people with complex health needs, and for their families, there can be much more to think about. Rainbows is here to help them prepare for what comes next, and to make sure no one faces those changes alone.
Transition
Our transition service helps young people and families prepare for the move from children’s to adult services. The process begins from age 13 and covers changes across health, education, finances and legal decision-making, as well as the move to adult palliative care services where appropriate.
Support is shaped around each young person and family, and is available in lots of ways, including one-to-one sessions, webinars and days for young people and families. We work alongside families and other professionals to help them understand what will change, explore the options available and prepare for the future.
My Adult Still My Child
Rainbows helped develop My Adult Still My Child, an ICB-funded online resource offering specialist information and guidance to help young people and families navigate the move from children’s to adult services.
It provides clear, accessible information about decision-making during transition, including mental capacity, consent, best interests and the changing role of parents and carers. Bringing together practical information, legal guidance and the real experiences of families, it helps young people, parents, carers and professionals navigate this important stage.
Youth work
Our youth work is all about the young person. It starts with where they are, building a trusting relationship that helps them feel safe, be themselves and grow as an individual. It’s also about being someone in their corner, to share information, offer advice, build confidence and give the right kind of support for their needs.
That support might include one-to-one sessions, group work, activities, learning new skills, making memories and working towards their own goals and aspirations.
One-to-one support
One-to-one sessions often explore what it means to live with their condition, and help young people build coping strategies and resilience. In a safe, supportive space, they can talk through fears and worries, touch on grief, and feel free to ask any question, whatever it might be. It’s also a place to build confidence and self-esteem, to make decisions, and to discover the value of having a voice and the confidence to use it.
Group sessions
Our group sessions give young people the chance to come together, spend time with peers and build friendships. It’s a supportive space to talk openly about worries and concerns, and to work through them together. The groups are led by the young people themselves, who plan the sessions across the year, so everything reflects their own needs and interests, and puts them firmly in the driving seat.
Part of the bigger picture
Youth work sits within our multidisciplinary team and is part of the holistic care Rainbows offers to children, young people and families, giving young people positive things to do, places to go and someone to talk to.
Here when you need us
If you’d like to know more about our transition support or youth work, please get in touch. Referrals come through a healthcare professional, so a good first step is to speak to someone already involved in their care.