Many adolescents with serious mental illnesses experience transfer of care from child to adult mental health services, yet few services have specific arrangements for such transition. The TRACK study aims to identify organisational factors that facilitate or impede effective transition from child & adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to adult services; determine predictors and outcomes of such transition; and explore user, carer and service provider views on the process.

This multi-site mixed-methods study will: a) map transition policies in CAMHS in London and West Midlands; b) evaluate the process of transition by a case note survey of patients who cross the transition boundary in one year; c) conduct a diagnostic analysis across organisational boundaries; and d) explore views of service users, carers and mental health professionals on the process of transition.

Findings from Stage 1 reveal that in London, nine mental health trusts have 13 transition protocols in operation and two draft protocols. In West Midlands there are three CAMHS services with one operational and two draft protocols. The protocols are similar in the principles that underpin transition policies, but differ in definitions of service boundaries and in transition planning. There are also significant differences in information continuity during transition.

Preliminary findings from the TRACK study reveal similarities in principles but differences in transition process across services in the UK. The implications of these findings will be discussed.