Young people with palliative care needs face uncertainty about how longthey will survive. As a result, plans are needed for both their deathand the move into adulthood.
The Association for Children's Palliative Care will launch the CarePathway on Transition in April. Lizzie Chambers, the association's chiefexecutive, said it was crucial plans were developed from the age of 14.However, she claimed practice varied because there was no structure inplace.
The guidance will say adult key workers are needed to work with childkey workers to co-ordinate young people's care plans. She said: "(Theadult key worker is) an advocacy role to help young people navigate thesystem with health and social care agencies.
"Workers should know what's available in adult services and help secureindependent living, education and leisure opportunities."
- www.act.org.uk.
