Enabling Dominic's voice and participation through the cocreation of an 'I am' Digital Story for supporting his post-19 transition from special school to adult social care

BackgroundTransitions into adult services for young people with complex communication needs are often experienced as challenging and rarely include the voices of young people.MethodsWe piloted a person-centred method to enable one young person's (Dominic) voice to be included in his transition to adult services. An 'I am' Digital Story is a short video (c.6 min) that provides a strengths-based representation of a young person that is designed to be shared with and between settings. The process and outcomes of story cocreation were evaluated through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders.FindingsThe process of story creation was evaluated very positively by key stakeholders. The information about Dominic's strengths and preferences helped the new setting to prepare for Dominic's arrival.ConclusionsThe 'I am' Digital Story method provides a powerful and accessible method for including the voices of young people with complex communication needs in their transitions. Young people and their families say it can be hard moving from school to adult services. We think young people with complex communication needs should be part of planning for this move. Often, young people with complex communication needs are not part of planning for this move. We have tried a new way for them to be part of the planning. It is called an 'I am' Digital Story. We created an 'I am' Digital Story with Dominic, his mother, his teacher and his speech and language therapist. They told the story of who Dominic is. The story tells people what Dominic likes doing and what Dominic is good at. The story helps people get to know Dominic, even if they cannot meet Dominic. We asked questions after to see if the Digital Story was a good idea. The people who made the Digital Story said it was easy to make the video. The people in adult services said it was a big help to watch the video. We are happy because the Digital Story made Dominic part of planning his move from school to adult services.