Transition from Children’s Services to Adult Care and Support
Accessing Adults Social Care Services
At the point of young person with SEN or disabilities turning 18, they may become eligible for Adult Social Care Services, regardless of whether they have received support from children’s social care services or have an EHC plan. To receive support from adult social care services, the young person will need to be assessed as having eligible needs prior to turning 18.
A referral to adult social care can happen anytime in the adults life, from 18 onwards, if they wish for a re-assessment or their needs change.
Assessment for Adult Social Care
For those already receiving support from children’s services, this support will continue until adult provision has started or a decision has been made following assessment, that the young person’s needs do not meet the eligibility criteria. This ensures there is no gap in provision.
For a young person with an EHC plan, the transition to adult care and support should be well planned and integrated with annual reviews, including provision to assist them if it is felt that support may be required once they have turned 18 and what their options may be as part of their preparation for adulthood (starting from year 9; age 14).
Who's Eligble?
The eligibility threshold is based on identifying:
- If a person’s needs are due to a physical or mental impairment or illness
- To what extent a person’s needs affect their ability to achieve two or more specified outcomes *
- Whether and to what extent this impacts on the person’s wellbeing
If a young person’s needs are not eligible for adult services, you will receive an explanation as to how this decision was made and you can ask for further information, advice and signposting to universal services as well as prevention services accessible within the local area.
How to make a referral for an assessment?
A young person can make a referral themselves or ask someone to make a referral on their behalf by phoning the Access Centre: 0300 555 0055 or submitting an enquiry form by clicking Contact Access Team.
For those who have a social worker, Children’s Disability Team (CDT), safeguarding, or Looked After Children (LAC), then they can make a referral on the young person’s behalf.
For those with an EHC plan and no social worker or current involvement with child services, then this should be discussed at the school annual review as part of the preparation for adulthood as to who should make a referral (Connexions, Case officer, or schools).
What can I expect from an assessment?
Transition assessments for adult care and support will involve the young person and anyone else they want involved that are important to them. Depending on the young person’s situation, either the case worker, school, social worker or connexions team member will work with the young person to identify what’s going well and where they feel they may benefit from some support.
If the young person meets the eligibility criteria and is going to receive support, then the young person will be involved in planning their support to help them to achieve their future goals whether it is further education, employment or living independently.
What if I don't consent to an assessment?
After compulsory school age (the end of the academic year in which they turn 16), the young person has the right to make requests and decisions under the Children and Families Act 2014. In any instance where the young person refuses an assessment for adult social care then the local authority is not required to carry out the assessment.
However, under the Care Act 2014, the assessment for adult social care can proceed without consent of the young person if it is deemed that the young person lacks capacity to refuse the assessment and it would be in their best interest to be assessed. A capacity assessment can be carried out to establish whether a young person has the capacity to make the decision to refuse an assessment. The young person will still be involved as much as possible in the assessment. Professional qualified staff such as social workers who have worked closely with the young person can advise and support assessors with this.
What is the difference between Children's and Adults Social Care services?
Children’s social care services are responsible for supporting and protecting vulnerable children, ensuring and overseeing the effective delivery of services for children. This includes providing children and their families with extra help if required. They must also promote children's welfare and well-being.
Adult social care provides personalised, practical support for people over 18 that best meet their needs, supporting them to live their lives the way they want preserving dignity and encouraging independence.
Do I have to pay for my care?
The assessment itself and any information and advice is free. The services you receive as a result of the assessment may not be free. Adult Social Care is means tested (with a few exceptions) so depending on your financial circumstances, you may have to contribute to the cost of any support provided. To find out if you are eligible for financial support we will complete a financial assessment. To find out more about choosing/paying for your care, personal budgets, direct payments , benefits advice and self-funding please click here.