At the age of 14, the Disabled Children’s Team will complete a 14+ referral. This is an early notification to Adult Services to provide them with the details of those children approaching their later childhood years. At the age of 16, the Disabled Children’s Team will undertake a re-assessment of your child.
The purpose of this assessment is to collate information regarding your child’s needs and their current circumstances. The assessment will also look to understand both you and your child’s wants and aspirations for the future. This information will help us to complete a 16+ referral for your child. This referral looks to outline what needs your child will have as they transition into adulthood and how best to meet those needs. The referral will be discussed at RCT Transition Panel. Members of the panel from both Adult Services and Children’s Services will identify which Adult Services Team will best meet the needs of your child; Care and Support, Community Mental Health or Learning Disability.
During the 2 years between the age of 16 to 18, Adult Services will allocate your child a named secondary social worker. This worker will begin an Adult Assessment. As part of this assessment the worker will meet with you and your child to begin conversations about the plans for post 18 support, taking into account the current support in place for your child. In the 6 months leading up to your child turning 18, the adult worker will also be invited to attend your child’s Care and Support Plan reviews. This will allow for Adult Services and Children’s Services to work together to support your child with their transition to adulthood.
Upon your child turning 18, they will fully transfer to Adult Services and the involvement of Children’s Services will end.