Social Care

It is important to seek support in providing children with care if you feel that you need it.

• Every ‘local offer’ must include information as to any eligibility criteria governing access to social care services for disabled children and young people; (click here for your local offer).
• Explain in plain/clear language how services are allocated based on need;

Assessments and services provided by social care

Local authorities have a duty to safeguard and protect children in need, and to promote their upbringing by their families by providing a range and level of services appropriate to those children’s needs. This duty can be broken into 3 main areas:

1. To Assess

A local authority must assess all children that are identified as children in need. All disabled children are classed as ‘children in need’ and are therefore entitled to an assessment. The assessment of disabled children must consider their needs in relation to:

• • practical assistance,
  • activities at home,
  • recreational activities outside the home (this could be short breaks),
  • assistance to the child in taking advantage of available educational facilities (you can use this duty to argue for home to school transport)
  • (the primary duty for making adaptations to homes are in the Housing Act)
  • additional facilities (this might be safe spaces)
  • holidays (this can include the basic cost of the holiday, not just the costs associated with disability).
  • Meals,
  • Telephone or special equipment

Local authorities must also assess the needs of parent/carers of disabled children. They have the power to combine assessments where it is reasonable to do so.

2. To Decide

After assessment, the local authority must decide whether it is necessary to meet the child’s needs. A local authority is entitled to take account of the resources available to it when making this decision.

3. To Provide

Where a local authority decides that it is necessary to make provision in any of the areas listed above, they must do so. There must be a support plan setting out what services will be delivered, and what actions undertaken, by who and for what reason.

Further information

Click here for information about Disability Living Allowance

If you are concerned about a child, please contact the Multi-agency safeguarding hub.

Click here for the Hampshire’s Safeguarding Children’s Partnership website which includes safeguarding thresholds.