This can be an exciting time with changes perhaps in the place you live, learn or work, you may meet new people and make new relationships.
It might also mean being introduced to new workers who can support you through these changes. We're committed to working with you, your family and those who already support you to ensure that transitions are positive, well planned and that you have choice and control over how you want to live your life.
What our service provides
During the transition from school you'll have a named worker to help guide you through the process. This person will link with you, your family, friends and support workers to plan how to achieve what you want to achieve. Your school and those who work with you should help you to think creatively about your life and your goals.
The named worker will be part of regular review meetings with you to make sure that the changes you have planned are right for you and that you're in touch with the right people and organisations to move you forward with plans for your adult life in your own way.
From 14-years-old
Conversations should start with young people, families and professionals, from the age of 14 years. If the young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan, Social care or Early help involvement, this helps to think about how they can be supported to reach their full potential.
Between 15 and 16-years-old
Young people may be starting to think about college, where they would like to live and how they will socialise with friends and family for example.
Between 16 and 17-years-old
It's good practice to have the input of adult social care if the young person is likely to meet the adult eligibility criteria. They can start gathering information for an adult care assessment (based on The Care Act 2014).
While there is no set age for assessments to be completed (under the age of 18). The local authority should assess young people referred, on an individual basis and indicate when they think it will be ‘of significant benefit’ to complete the assessment.
How to access the service
Children's services will usually start talking to you from around year 9. They will include your family, school, relevant health and other workers to make sure you are able to get properly ready and make sure that information about you moves on with you.
The Care Act
The Care Act states:
"Where it appears to a local authority that a child is likely to have needs for care and support after becoming 18, the authority must, if it is satisfied that it would be of significant benefit to the child to do so"
If young people do not meet the criteria for adult services, there may be other services they can be signposted to for support, such as the community connectors service (for people with learning disabilities and / or Autism), Welfare rights, and Social prescribers for example. The Local Offer website have a number of different resources.
At 18 years old, a young person will close to children’s services. An adult social care assessment will look at the outcomes they wish to achieve and will consider their eligibility for formal support. We follow a national set of eligibility criteria which can be found through our website or by contacting Call Derbyshire on tel: 01629 533190. Alternatively, you can discuss eligibility with the member of staff who is dealing with your assessment.