Highland Council reinforces commitment to support young people in transition into adult services.

Members of The Highland Council’s, Adult and Children Service Committee have welcomed recent approaches being made by the Council and NHS Highland to better manage the transitions of young people into services for adults.

Councillor Graham MacKenzie (Dingwall and Seaforth Ward) has been elected as Lead member for Transitions by the committee. His role will be to engage with officers of the Council and NHS Highland on transitions matters, and to liaise with young people and families to ensure that their issues are raised by the council with local partners.

Welcoming his appointment Councillor MacKenzie said: “I am delighted that all members across the council are working together to make transitions better for young people throughout the Highlands into adult services.

He added: “I understand the frustrations that young people and their families often have to go through. We know that we do not have all the answers, but that we are starting to make a difference and to make a better future for our young people.”

The committee also endorsed the leadership of the Chief Executive of the Council Alistair Dodds in the strategic leadership of transitions management.

Transitions in children’s services generally involve the key times and events where significant changes takes place in the lives of young people and children including critical points such as:

Work is continuing between The Highland Council and NHS Highland to finalise a joint protocol for the management of transitions of young people between the two organisations.