Moving from children’s social care to adult social care

We'll complete a care needs assessment with any young person who we think might have care and support needs as an adult.

This assessment helps us understand their needs and determine if the young person is eligible for support from adult social care. 

We might involve family, friends, and professionals from different agencies. This collaborative approach helps us understand the goals and outcomes that matter to the young person so we can support them to achieve their ambitions.

When it happens

Most care needs assessments for transition take place before a young person turns 18. However, this can vary and depends on individual circumstances. 

We’ll assess the young person at a time that works for them. For example, we won’t assess them when they’re preparing for exams or having medical treatment.

Who is eligible for adult social care support

Completing a care needs assessment with adult social care shows if the young person is eligible for care and support from us.

We assess needs for adult social care based on whether: 

1. The young person has a physical or mental health condition
2. Because of their condition, they cannot do specific daily activities
3. Not being able to do those activities affects their wellbeing

The assessment will also help identify what care or support they need to be independent, safe and well. This support could be from us as a council or from services in the local community.

Learn more about eligibility for social care

Paying for social services

Care provided by the council to adults is means-tested. Most people will have to pay for some or all of their care. 

After the young person has the results of their care needs assessment, we’ll work out what they’ll have to pay for any care and support that they’re eligible for. We do this by completing a financial assessment to look at the young person’s income, savings, and costs.

We’ll also make sure they get any benefits that they’re entitled to as an adult.

Learn more about financial assessments

If a young person is not eligible

If the care needs assessment shows they're not eligible for support from adult social care, we’ll write to the young person and their parents or carers to explain why we’ve made this decision. We’ll also give information and advice about support from other organisations in the Kingston area.

Support from children’s services can continue until the young person’s 18th birthday. Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) can continue until the young person is 25.

Who’s involved in the assessment

The young person must be part of the assessment so that it reflects their views and wishes.

Anyone the young person or carer wants to include should be involved too. This could be parents, carers, friends, or other important people in their life. We might also include the views of other professionals, like their children’s social worker.

We’ll also consider how the needs of carers and family might change and can offer support for carers if needed. We might suggest they take a carer’s assessment to help support them in their caring role.

Working with other organisations 

We’ll use information from other assessments like Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and health reports to support an overall understanding of the young person's needs and to avoid duplication.

The care needs assessment can also be included in sections of the young person’s EHCP or Continuing Healthcare (CHC) assessment.