Involvement of service users in the delivery and development of services by providing unique feedback on their own experiences is a well-established feature of continuing improvement and quality enhancement. The Friends and Family Test (FFT) is a tool that supports the fundamental principle that people who use NHS services should have the opportunity to provide feedback on their experience, however children and young people are a group of key stakeholders whose voice has not been routinely sought. This article summarises the evaluation of a pilot project which aimed to implement and test the utility of a children and young people friendly version of the FFT in general and dental practices with a view to making it more widely available in the future. One exemplar Case Study is provided and findings lead to recommendations on how to ensure the FFT is continually made accessible to children and young people.

Numerous policy directives highlight the need for planned and well-coordinated support to enable young people with long-term conditions and disabilities to negotiate the transition to adulthood, including making the leap from children-oriented to adult- centered health services. The journey is complex and multi-dimensional. For young people with a disability, long-term condition, or mental health problem there are additional challenges when transitioning between services with differences in expectations, delivery, and culture. This article explores findings from 6 case studies of young people who have recently experienced transition to adult health and care services, triangulating inter-related perspectives: those of young people, parents, and carers, and where possible the professionals involved. One of the case studies illustrates how the challenges are actually experienced. Analysis of emerging themes across the case studies leads to key messages from families to inform strategic development of services and practice.

Hearty Lives (Liverpool): a case study-based evaluation of a project designed to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in looked after young people http://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/10578/ Article LJMU has developed LJMU Research Online for users to access the research output of the University more effectively. AbstractThis article will be of interest to all practitioners who recognise the growing body of evidence focussing on the importance of health for looked after children and young people. Unhealthy weight and lifestyle is specific issue for young people who are in the care of their local authorities, whether living at home with parents under the supervision of social services, with foster carers, or in a residential children's home.There is a close relationship between food, nutrition and family connectedness.Following the principles of Appreciative Inquiry, this small -scale evaluation of the Hearty Lives (Liverpool) project, uses a case study approach to gain insight into the learning and experiences of those who were involved in interventions to promote healthy eating and lifestyles in looked after young people. Learning gained through the evaluation may provide useful insights to practitioners and organisations who are interested in developing similar projects or interventions.

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The journey to adulthood is complex and multi-dimensional. Young people may be independent in some spheres of their lives, but dependent in others. For young people with a disability, long-term condition, or mental health problem there are additional hurdles. As they move between health and social care services, they will find significant differences in expectations, delivery, and culture. At the same time, their own needs will be evolving. Despite a great deal of guidance on effective transition support, in 2014, England's Care Quality Commission highlighted a shortfall between policy and practice. The result is confusion and frustration for young people, their families, and the staff caring for them. Seamless transition to adult services is by no means a universal experience. Here the authors offer two case studies that triangulate inter-related perspectives: those of young people, parents and carers, and the professionals involved in successful models of transition support. The case studies illustrate how the challenge of transitioning to adult services is actually experienced and how, despite some concerns held by young people, parents, and carers, well-planned and coordinated transitions can have positive outcomes for the families involved.