Moving from children’s to adult social care services can be a significant and sometimes challenging period for young people with SEND.
If a young person has an impairment, illness, or disability and this is affecting their ability to manage daily activities and impacting their wellbeing then a referral can be made to the Transitions Adult Social Care (TASC) team.
The team will consider a young person’s specific needs and determine what kind of support can help them live more comfortably and independently. Their goal is to:
- help young people live as independently as possible for as long as possible
- focus on the positive aspects of young people’s lives
- encourage self-care and support young people to gain or retain their independence and live their best lives
Early identification and planning is vital to ensure a smooth transition to adult social care and referrals can be made from age 14 onwards.
How to make a referral
Parents, carers, professionals and young people can complete our referral form.
Please provide us with as much information as possible about the young person you wish to refer. We cannot accept bulk or generic referrals, and the form needs to include information about the current impairments, disabilities, diagnoses or health conditions of the young person and the support you feel will be needed into adulthood.
Consent must be sought before the form is completed.
Please be aware that the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) applies to all people aged 16 and over. Considering the MCA will support you to clarify who can consent to a referral.
If the referred person is over 16 and they have mental capacity, they can consent to this referral. If they are over 16 but lack capacity to consent to this referral, the MCA states the decision must be made in their best interests.
If you have any questions about making a referral to the TASC team, the services we provide, or wider questions about adult social care please call us on 01392 381291 or email us at tasc@devon.gov.uk.
What happens next
A member of the team will get in touch with the parent, carer or young person when the young person is around 16 years of age to introduce themselves and allow them to ask any questions they have about adult social care. Please note we will not be attending EHC plan reviews before year 11 at the earliest.
Referrals may also be made to other appropriate services at this time, such as children’s services, occupational therapists, Reaching for Independence Service, or Devon Carers.
The allocated team member will be able to discuss referrals to these and other appropriate services throughout their involvement, and you can also find information about these services and more on our website.
We may also implement some technology aids and apps where this is suitable. The workers may also recommend and complete referrals for carer’s assessments for family members or others who support the young person. Carer’s assessments can take place from when the young person is 17 and a half years old.
The TASC team does not hold case responsibility for young people, as under the Children and Families Act 2014 this remains with children’s agencies until the age of 18.
A Care Act assessment may be required following these conversations. This is an opportunity to discuss the young person’s needs, what is going well for them at the moment and any goals they have for the future.
The assessment will determine if the young person has eligible needs under the Care Act and how these needs will be met when they reach their 18th birthday.
More information about the TASC team
The TASC service provided by Devon County Council focuses on the early identification of young people who are likely to require care and support in adulthood.
Our goal is to ensure that this group of young individuals, along with their families and those that care for them, feels well-informed and prepared for the transition into adulthood.
Transition should be an ongoing process rather than a single event and it should be tailored to suit a child’s needs. More information about preparing for adulthood can be found on our SEND Local Offer website. This includes a new transitions guide.
The TASC service, part of Adult Social Care, is a Devon county-wide social care team, working with many partners and guided by the Care Act principles (see also Care Act – easy read guidance)
We are committed to engaging with young people, families, those that care for them, and support agencies to enable young people to fully recognise their potential and opportunities as adults, fostering independence, self-reliance, and confidence to the greatest opportunities available.
The vision of the TASC service is to improve our service to better support young people to transition to adulthood.