Abstract
The paper presents the findings of a study of transition protocols (for adolescents leaving school and entering the general marketplace) in place for intellectual disability partnerships in 22 local authorities in Wales. The study consisted of a survey of existing protocols and a documentary analysis of the content of the obtained protocols. The author outlines the relevant legal and policy context of school to marketplace transition in England and Wales, then reviews the results of the survey of all 22 Welsh local authorities, and presents the findings of a documentary content analysis. The results highlight the difficulties in formulating effective protocols for transition partnerships at the local authority level. Criteria applied in the documentary analysis have been, among others, person-centered planning, involvement of young people and carers, accessibility of the protocol, and the inclusion of external agencies in transition planning. The analysis shows wide-ranging discrepancies in the quality and content of transition protocols across Wales.