Synergy - Enquiry

Children's Social Care helps lots of children and young people who have extra needs.

Most young people, including those with EHCPs (Education, Health, and Care Plans), spend around 3 days a week in education and do other activities, on their days off after Year 11.

However, some young people might need help to get out and about and do other things, like access clubs or groups, look for part-time work or spend time out of the house with their friends.

If you and your family think that you can't do other activities independently, you may be able to get some help from the Disabled Children's Team, or other professionals working in Children's Social Care.

Children's Social Care will think about the impact on you and your family if they don't provide support across 5 days a week, but you'll need an assessment first, to help them decide.

To be eligible, you just need to be under 18, and one of these things must apply to you:

You might find it hard to stay healthy or develop and learn without help from the local authority
Your health or development might get worse without support
You're considered 'disabled'

And 'disabled' can mean:

You're blind, deaf, non-verbal, or maybe have a mental health condition, or autism

You could be classed as disabled if you're dealing with a long-term challenge from illness, or injury, or if you were born with something else that makes things harder for you.

The Disabled Children's Team and Social Care sometimes use words in their documents that may seem negative, but it's important to remember these are legal terms used by social care to decide if you are eligible for support.

The Disabled Children's team can provide more information about how they define disabled if you ask them.

Before getting in touch with the Local Authority, whether by phone or letter here are some steps to take.

Talk to your family about the kind of support that would make a difference for you and explain why it matters.
Clearly say what support you need and how it would help you grow.
Share why you think you need the help you're asking for
Put a date on your letter if you are asking for an assessment in writing, and keep a copy for yourself before you send it.
If you are working with a professional ask if they can write a letter supporting your request for help or maybe even contact the team themselves

These steps are all about making things easier when you're asking for support.

If you are eligible, either you, your parent/carer, or even a professional who knows you (like a teacher or GP) can ask for an assessment.

What happens at the assessment?

Normally, the assessment happens at your home. You can have a family member, like a parent or carer, with you. The social worker doing the assessment will want to chat with other family members too, not just you to find out what kind of help could make your lives easier.

Parent carers assessment

Parents and Carers get their own assessment too. When your assessment happens, a checklist for your parent carer will be filled in. This looks at what help and support they might need to do their job as a parent or carer. They can do it at the same time as you or do theirs later.

The social worker will tell you what happens next, and when to expect to hear back from them. Once you ask, the whole assessment and any decisions are made within 45 days.

There are a range of different things you may be eligible for support with including

Accessing leisure facilities this could mean outings or going to a day centre to do activities with other young people who have similar needs to you
Travel and other assistance, like travel to and from a day centre
Home adaptations and disabled facilities, such as handrails or hoists
Meeting your care needs so you can study

If you are eligible for support, a social worker will discuss your needs with you and what services and support can be put in place to meet these needs.

This may include a personal budget for a Personal Assistant.

It might be a pooled payment to contribute towards a day service. Children’s Social Care are currently exploring day services for those aged 16-18, so keep checking back for more information about this.

There is a useful resource from the charity Contact, about ‘services and support from your Local Authority’. This can be accessed here

Children's Social Care - Disabled Children's Team

Why might I need help from Social Care after I turn 16?

Am I eligible for a Children's Social Care Assessment?

What to do first

Having an assesment

What help is available?

What about Short Breaks, isn't that the same?

Click here to find out about moving from Children's to Adult Social Care

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