Transition is not simply a birthday
NHS guidance says the move may happen at different ages depending on circumstances and local services. Where ongoing support is needed, the young person should be involved in planning what happens next.
Preparation should start before the change
NHS guidance says services should discuss the move in advance, giving time to understand who will provide care, how family involvement may change and what support will continue.
Questions worth asking
Ask who the new contact will be, whether there will be a joint transition appointment, what happens to medication, what happens if adult-service criteria are different, what crisis route applies during the handover, and what written plan you will receive.
If adult services will not take over
Ask what alternative support is being arranged and who is responsible for the handover. A move back to GP care should still come with clear information about how to access mental-health services again if needed.
Put the things you do not want to forget into one private note before you go.
Open appointment prep →Trusted source
NHS / NHS England guidance ↗General information, not a diagnosis or personal treatment plan. Exact pathways and options vary. Reviewed 8 September 2026.