Transition for Autism (and other neurodevelopmental disorders) Project (TAP)
Actions
The Transition for Autism (and other neurodevelopmental disorders) Project (TAP) ensures that children and young people known to have complex needs by mental health services (e.g. CAMHS, NT, EIT) are linked into transition to adulthood pathways earlier. This allows appropriate assessments and support to be put in place from the age of 17, making the transfer between child and adult health services easier.
How does the process work?
Please click here to download the TAP Pathway
Up to age 16
Information about children and young people with complex needs who are known to the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is shared with adult services via a Clinical Transition Network. The Network consists of Consultant Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, case managers from the transition service, and a transition worker.
The Clinical Transition Network is made up of the following services:
- Kensington & Chelsea Neurodevelopmental Psychiatric service, CNWL NHS Foundation Trust.
- Transition Service/Community Learning Disability team or Neurodevelopmental Team (NT), CAMHS, CNWL NHS Foundation Trust.
- Adult Autism Service, CLCH NHS trust.
- Early Intervention Service (EIS) – for young people showing signs of psychosis, Community Mental Health teams, Criminal system etc.
If it is agreed that a young person may need support with transition to adulthood, the young person is placed on a 16 years old tracking register. Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meetings will then be held every three months to discuss any assessments that may be appropriate and support that can be put into place to prepare for the transition to adult services.
Aged 17-18
The MDT may recommend a series of assessments to prepare the young person for adult support services. These assessments could include:
- Learning Disability Eligibility Assessment.
- Autism Diagnostic Assessment.
- Person Centred planning, PCP.
- Continuing Health Care (CHC) Assessment Check list.
- Full psychiatric/psychological assessment.
- Participation in professionals meetings (CTER/CPA) in Mental Health Units.
Clinical handover to appropriate adult services will begin within this year to ensure a smooth transition by the age of 18.
Aged 18-25
The young person will transition onto adult services. Depending on the young person’s needs, these services may include:
- Kensington & Chelsea Neurodevelopmental Psychiatric service, CNWL NHS Foundation Trust.
- Local Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs), CNWL NHS Foundation Trust.
- Forensic Service (FOCUS), CNWL NHS Foundation Trust.
- Kensington & Chelsea LD Health partnership , CLCH Trust.
- Autism Service, CLCH Trust.
- Primary Care Mental Health Services, GP.
- Kensington & Chelsea Community Learning Disability Team/Complex health needs team.
What does the project offer?
The Project aims to provide:
- clinically informed transition plans (i.e. Education, Health and Care Plans, or Continuing Health Care (CHC) plans.
- improved / supported access to adult services.
- delivery of multiagency early interventions.
- monitoring of evolving needs for the young person, including facilitation of discharges from mental health units.
- dynamic person-centred planning (PCP)
- co-working/advisory role to secondary care NHS services (e.g. CMHTs, EIS etc.), primary care NHS services, parents, the justice system etc.
Who we are
The project is coordinated and led by:
Dr. Natalia Perez-Achiaga. Consultant Psychiatrist for People with Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
Additional professionals participating in this clinical network are:
Dr. Ross Canade /Dr.C Sharma. Specialised Clinical Psychologist for young people.
Dr.Lizzie Kock. Specialised Clinical Psychologist for people with Autism.
Dr. Sheetal Gopal . Specialised Clinical Psychologist for people with Learning Disabilities
Sheila Rodgers. Kensington & Chelsea Learning Disability Transition Team.
Meghan Bower. Transition Worker.