From the age of 16, young people aged 16 onwards with SEND who are already receiving support from Children’s Social Care will begin to be considered by their Children’s Social Care team as to whether they will need a referral to Adult Social Care. The referral will be made by Children’s Social Care to Adult Social Care at the right time for the young person before their 18th birthday.
You can self-refer to Adult Social Care if you do not have a Children’s Social Care worker, ideally referring around the age of 17. Adult Social Care can assess and prepare prior to a young person’s 18th birthday but cannot meet needs or provide direct support at this point as this is still the responsibility of Children’s Social Care teams.
After the referral is received:
- Adult Social Care will make contact with you to discuss the current situation and next steps.
- Advice, information, digital care, short term support and an eligibility assessment will all be considered by Adult Social Care to consider what support is required as the young person enters adulthood.
- If the young person is eligible, long term care and support and funding via a Personal Budget may be provided to help meet the young person’s aspirations and needs or certain elements of their care needs such as:
- care services from an agency
- employing someone to help you
- attending a day care service
- paying for some respite care services
- paying for certain leisure activities
- buying equipment to help with your care needs