Publication details As part of exploring transitions for a broader research theme around Care Trajectories and Constraints, we undertook a scoping review of the literature, focusing on how researchers in social care conceptualise and research transitions.
To cite: Pelge, H. and Needham, C. (2023). The Transitions that Matter. Centre for Care Working Paper 4, CIRCLE, Sheffield: University of Sheffield.
ISBN 978-1-8382688-4-8
©The authors and CIRCLE, The University of Sheffield, Oct 2023
Key findings
- There is no set agreed definition for what a ‘transition’ is. Different researchers draw from different definitions and philosophical standpoints, e.g. from international law and human rights, to define a ‘transition’, to set their research questions, and to carry out research.
- Clear and timely information, early planning, supportive professionals and strong trusting relationships are all key to good experiences of transition.
- Barriers to transition include professional attitudes and institutional rules. Identity roles, health circumstances and ability to get into employment can all interact to support or block the intention to make a change. Non-transitions are also relevant – people often cannot make the changes that matter to them.
- What is less clear from the studies included in this review is how to overcome the barriers which are a recurrent feature in the findings. There are macro political choices to be made here – about funding, training and skills – but also meso and micro choices about how we support people to envision and access different futures.
- This review is the start of a research process around the theme ‘the transitions that matter’. This involves talking with disabled people and other people using care services to understand the transitions that are important in their lives.