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Assertive Transitions Service (ATS)
We are thrilled to announce that our Assertive Transitions Service is undergoing a major refresh, expanding its reach across the East Midlands. This marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to providing essential support for individuals and their families navigating transitions from secure care to the community, especially those who face complex challenges.
In this section:
What is the Assertive Transitions Service?
Who are we?
Current Progress?
What our community has said?
What's Next?
What is the Assertive Transitions Service?
The assertive transitions service is commissioned by IMPACT and delivered by four partner organisations working together in one alliance/team: Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, St Andrew's Healthcare, Rethink and Framework.
The Assertive Transitions Service is designed to support individuals during times of significant change, such as transitioning and adjusting to new environments from inpatient secure services to the community. Our service provides a holistic and tailored support to ensure individuals can manage the change confidently, smoothly and safely.
The Assertive Transitions team offer a hands-on approach, working closely with individuals to develop personalised transition plans. These plans are individually designed to address specific needs, foster independence, and provide guidance through what can be an overwhelming process. Our goal is to empower people to thrive, no matter what challenges they may be facing.
Who are we?
The strength our team has, is unlike traditional service models, at the heart of our service we have the invaluable contributions of lived experience. Our team includes individuals who have navigated transitions themselves, peer support, carers leads, and clinical expertise in substance misuse, system working, social work and nursing.
Lived experience and recovery orientated (LERO) approaches are central to our philosophy ensuring the services we offer are not only informed by clinical expertise but also by the real journey of those that have been through similar experiences.
Current Progress?
Early 2025, the team wished to reflect on their past 4 years and look towards goals for the future. They worked on refreshing their purpose, vision and values, creating a service fit for future, their overall aim is to make a lasting impact.
Our Vision: 'Transforming Transitions from Hospital to Hope'
Our Purpose: 'Promoting hope, opportunity, and empowerment, recognising choice and strength in individuals to bridge the path from hospital into the community safely.'
Our Focus: A newly design strategy and programme of works has been developed, the team are currently looking to expand lived experience of those transitioning and carers to the programme, whilst working on supporting delayed discharges across the East Midlands secure care inpatient wards.
Our Values: Inclusivity, Compassion, Collaboration, Assertiveness, Patient Centred, Integrity
Inclusivity
Embracing diversity, ensuring equal opportunities, and fostering a sense of belonging for all.
- We will ensure equal opportunities for everyone.
- We will create a sense of belonging where everyone feels valued and included.
- We will actively seek out and celebrate diverse perspectives and ideas.
- We will challenge any form of discrimination or exclusion.
Compassion
Listen to learn, reflect empathy, kindness patient and respect.
- We will listen actively and empathetically to patients, families, and colleagues
- We will support one another through challenges and celebrate successes.
- We will show kindness and understanding in all our interactions.
- We will provide feedback in a respectful and caring manner.
Collaboration
Teamwork, knowledge sharing, and mutual respect reflecting togetherness and connection
- We will work together towards common goals and celebrate our collective achievements.
- We will share knowledge, resources, and expertise freely.
- We will respect and leverage the diverse perspectives and strengths
- We will address conflicts constructively and seek mutually beneficial solutions.
Assertiveness
Confident, respectful expressions of thoughts and advocacy for needs
- We will express our thoughts and opinions confidently and respectfully.
- We will advocate for our needs and the needs and interests of those we serve.
- We will approach conflicts with a solution-oriented mindset.
- We will support and encourage assertive communication within the team.
Integrity
Honest, fair behaviour and consistency in principles and practice
- We will act with honesty, be trustworthy, treat everyone with respect and fairness
- We will uphold our commitments and follow through on our promises.
- We will be consistent in our principles, even when faced with difficult choices.
- We will lead by example, demonstrating integrity in our behaviour and decisions.
Person Centred / Individualised
Recognition and respect for unique needs, preferences and aspirations.
- We will recognise and respect the unique needs and preferences of all.
- We will provide personalised support and encouragement to help everyone reach their potential.
- We will ensure that everyone's voice is heard and valued
- We will shape our approaches to meet the specific circumstances and aspirations of those we serve
What our community has said?
A carer for someone being supported by ATS said;
I am pleased I can give my view to you because it's good to talk to someone involved with his care, I am so impressed with his progress. He has come on so much since being at the hospital and I can notice a huge difference . When we asked what had made the difference her reply was Before his head was a mess, he would hardly talk to anyone. Now he's involving himself with so much. He would never step foot on a bus before because he was so anxious and now, he travels using two different buses. This is a very big improvement. He speaks about his job on the farm, swimming and cooking.
A low secure care provider said;
The individualised substance relapse prevention plans are some of the best we have ever seen, they are person centred and exemplary.
A community forensic team and low secure provider said;
Thanks for all of the unwavering support you have given. It is genuinely a pleasure to work with you, we are so grateful for you all individually, and also the mere fact that ATS exists. You are all so present in discussions and meetings despite not being based here, you always give really helpful feedback and notes, you are personable and approachable, and so easy to get hold of when required, and are flexible in your approach (which is of course a must when working with forensic patients), you have all had such an impact on the smooth and supportive transition for the patients amongst so many other things, and just in this particular case it is so clearly visible in the change we have noticed over the last 6 months.
Finally our Team based in the south of the county were nominated by service users and professionals for their hard work and dedication and succeeded in winning a a CARE award for accountability.
What's Next?
As we roll out the refreshed Assertive Transitions Service across the East Midlands, we are committed to continuing to improve the quality and accessibility of the services we provide. Our focus remains on ensuring that every individual, regardless of their background or situation, receives the support they need to succeed during their transition from secure care to the community. We're excited to work with healthcare providers, and other community organisations across the East Midlands to make this expansion a success. By collaborating and sharing expertise, we can create an even stronger service that makes a real difference in the lives of those we support. Roadshows will be coming to service near you in the coming months!
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