Transition to adult

Resource

Informing the mental health strategy for England: call for evidence – consultation response

In July 2026, RCPCH responded to the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) call for evidence to inform the development of a new mental health strategy for England. Our response focuses on the needs of infants, children and young people and highlights the importance of prevention, early in...

Mental health

Resource

Transition from child to adult health services - consultation response

In May 2026, RCPCH responded to the UK Parliament’s Health and Social Care Committee non-inquiry session (used to revisit previous inquiry topics or take evidence on a topical matter), ‘The transition from child to adult health and social care services’. This is conducting an evaluation – independen...

Health policy

Transition to adult

News

Should paediatric care extend to all children and young people at least until their 18th birthday?

29 May 2026

We posed this question earlier this month RCPCH Conference in a panel session chaired by Leonora Merry from the Nuffield Trust. There isn't a straightforward answer, but it is crucial that transition services ensure young people are not left without care, are developmentally appropriate and are co-p...

News

Report on epilepsy in communities that experience marginalisation launched today

1 November 2023

The engagement project, by the Association for Young People's Health, shares understanding of experiences from young people with epilepsy who are based in communities that experience marginalisation. This news article shares background information on the scoping and set up of the engagement project ...

Resource

Healthcare standards for children and young people in secure settings

There are about 1,000 children and young people placed in secure settings at any one time on justice or welfare grounds. This cohort of children often have complex needs that span mental health, neurodevelopmental need, substance misuse, and physical health, which can be hard to reach through tradit...

Engaging children and young people

Looked after children

Service design

News

RCPCH statement on the ruling in the judicial review, Bell v Tavistock

8 December 2020

We have carefully reviewed this court ruling, which addresses the consent of children and young people to the use of puberty suppressing drugs as part of the treatment of gender dysphoria. We consider that the ruling should not have implications for the general ethical or legal framework for childre...

Resource

Academy of Medical Royal Colleges statement on Gillick Competency

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges acknowledges the importance of Gillick competency, a well established legal principle which recognises the evolving maturity and individuality of children.

Ethics

Transition to adult

News

RCPCH responds to NHS England review of gender identity development services

3 February 2020

NHSE is conducting a review of the specification for this service and associated policies for 2020. It will also set up an independent expert group to make recommendations regarding the use of puberty suppressants and cross-sex hormones.

Document

Young people's experiences of health transition

We asked young people about their experiences of the health transition process. They highlighted where services have worked well to support them and their wishes for the future - to recognise individual needs, get support on mental health and much more.... This page brings together young people's vi...

Adolescent health

Transition to adult

Document

Health transition resources

This page provides guidance and resources for delivering an effective transition from children's to adults' health services. We highlight five key determinants that ensure young people are provided with high quality care throughout the transition process.

Transition to adult