Moving to adult social care services

From the age of 16, young people with SEND who are already receiving support from Children’s Social Care, it will be considered by their Children’s Social Care team 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, this is still the responsibility of Children’s Social Care teams.

Visit the Suffolk County Council website to self-refer.

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.

You can look at what other social care options might be available in your community for your young person below.