The Preparing for Adulthood service will accept referrals from age 14 if you have care and support needs that may require support from Adult Social Care.

The team have Social Care Workers who will help you to live a healthy and independent life, build friendships and support you in education and employment.  

The team will communicate with you in an open, honest and respectful way at all times.

Before you reach 16, we will meet with you to discuss your future plans and options and a screening assessment will be completed to see if it is likely that you will have care and support needs that will meet the eligibility criteria within the Care Act (2014).    

At a time of significant benefit, before you reach 18, the team will complete a full Care Act (2014) assessment and we will work with you to ensure that you are able to achieve your identified outcomes, when you are an adult. A financial assessment will also be completed by the Financial Assessment and Benefits Team, this will let you know what you need to pay towards the cost of any care and support provided.

The Preparing for Adulthood Team can provide information and signposting about:

• living Arrangements
• Health Services
• Further Education/Training/ Employment
• careers Advice
• paying for Care
• legal Frameworks
• Direct Payments
• access to Independent Advocacy for young people if required
• support Services.

We can also work with carers to provide:

• advice, support and signposting
• assessments of the carers needs
• support with the journey of the child becoming an adult
• assistance in developing a contingency plan in case of an emergency.

For more information please contact the Adult Social Care contact centre on 01202 123654 or call the Preparing for Adulthood Team on 01202 127878