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Last month 510 parent/carers and young people accessed our service which led to a total of 2,678 emails, contact forms, telephone calls and face to face meetings. Contact us if you need our advice and support.  

The SEND Code of Practice 2015 says:

If children and young people with SEN or disabilities are to achieve their ambitions and the best possible educational and other outcomes, including getting a job and living as independently as possible, local education, health and social care services should work together to ensure they get the right support. 

 

(1.22)

The Essex Local Offer is the place to find information about Social Care Services and provision for children and young people with SEN or disabilities, including:

  • childcare
  • leisure activities & short breaks
  • moving from child to adult services
  • living independently, and finding accommodation
  • help finding work

Types of Assessments

Carer’s Assessment

All parent/carers have a right to ask for an assessment of their needs at any time - an assessment of your needs as a carer. The aim of a carer's assessment is to give you a chance to tell social care services about the things that could make looking after your child easier for you.  Please read this information on Contact’s website about what you may be eligible for and support you may be able to receive.

Learn more about Carers Assessments from      Essex County Council - How to Apply for a Carers Assessment

Learn about Carers' breaks and respite care from NHS

carer's assessment is different from a needs assessment, which is for the person you are caring for. You can have them both done at the same time if you want.

A Needs Assessment

A needs assessment is the process social services use to decide if extra help is required to meet your child and your family's needs.  A needs assessment could be the first step towards getting help and support with daily life.  The person being assessed can talk about any difficulties they have in looking after themselves, and how that affects them. 

Learn more about Needs Assessments from Contact     Essex County Council - Get Social Care Help

Young Carers Assessment 

Young carers are entitled to a young carer's assessment.  A young carer is a person under 18 who regularly provides emotional and/or practical support and assistance for a family member who is disabled, physically or mentally unwell or who misuses substances.

Under section 96 Children & Families Act 2014, the local authority conducting the assessment must pay attention to any education, training or recreation the young person has and whether the young carer works or wishes to work.

If a young carer has already had an assessment, they will only have a right to a new assessment if their needs or the needs of the person being cared for have changed, or if there has been a change in circumstances. 

Learn more about being a young carer from NHS     Essex County Council - How to apply for a Young Carers Assessment

What the law says for children in need

Children In Need Assessments

Under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, local authorities have a duty to assess 'children in need' for any services they may need.

A child in need is defined within the Act as:

  • a child who is unlikely to achieve or maintain a satisfactory level of health or development;
  • a child whose health and development will be significantly impaired, without the provision of services, or;
  • a child who is disabled (the Children Act considers a child disabled if the child is blind, deaf, non-verbal, suffering from a mental disorder of any kind, substantially and permanently handicapped by illness, injury or congenital deformity or such other disability as may be prescribed)

This means that if your child is disabled, the local authority must carry out an assessment of their care needs, though there is no prescribed process they must follow. There may not therefore be a formal assessment, and needs could be identified as part of the work the Early Help service provides, for example.

The SEND Code of Practice 2015 says:

Where a child or young person has been assessed as having social care needs in relation to their SEN or disabilities social care teams:

  • must secure social care provision under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act (CSDPA) 1970 which has been assessed as being necessary to support a child or young person’s SEN and which is specified in their EHC plan

(3.49)

Seeking Advice from Social Care as part of an EHC Needs Assessment

The SEND Code of Practice 2015 says:

Where there is an EHC needs assessment, it should be an holistic assessment of the child or young person’s education, health and social care needs. EHC needs assessments should be combined with social care assessments under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 where appropriate.

 

(10.18)

 

In seeking advice and information, the local authority should consider with professionals what advice they can contribute to ensure the assessment covers all the relevant education, health and care needs of the child or young person.

 

(9.49)

This means that as part of an EHC needs assessment, the family services team will seek advice from social care about their previous involvement and assessments for your child.

If their response is 'not known to service' - you might want discuss with the local authority to carry out an assessment (or re-assessment) of care needs.

 

Social Provision within an EHC plan

Section H1 (Social Care provision) within an EHC plan includes:

Any social care provision which must be made for a child or young person under 18 resulting from section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 (CSDPA), such as: 

  • practical assistance in the home
  • clubs and activities outside the home
  • assistance in travelling or helping your child to take part in activities
  • equipment or adaptations to the home
  • holidays
  • non-residential short breaks 
  • any identified provision for parent carers of disabled children

Section H2 of an EHC plan includes any other provision related to your child or young person's SEN that isn't covered within section H1, for example residential short breaks or support with finding employment or housing.

Preparing for Adulthood

For children and young people in or beyond Year 9 with EHC plans, local authorities have a legal duty to include provision to assist in preparing for adulthood in the EHC plan review. (SEND Code of Practice 2015: 1.40)

This means that from year 9 onwards Annual Reviews of an EHC plan need to consider wider support needs for example; preparation for employment and independent living.

Packages of Support across 5 days

The SEND Code of Practice 2015 says:

Where young people have EHC plans, local authorities should consider the need to provide a full package of provision and support across education, health and care that covers five days a week, where that is appropriate to meet the young person’s needs.

 

(8.39)

 

It can also include health and care related activities such as physiotherapy. Full-time packages of provision and support set out in the EHC plan should include any time young people need to access support for their health and social care needs.

 

(8.40)

Safeguarding

The Local Authority have a legal duty within section 47 of the Children Act 1989 to investigate if they suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm.

Anyone can make a referral to children services, including a parent, wider family member, friend, doctor, teacher or health visitor if they are concerned about a child.

Following a referral the Local Authority will then decide whether there should be any action taken to safeguard your child’s welfare.

The process for 'keeping children safe'

If someone has raised concerns about your child by contacting social care, you may find it useful to read through the guidance from Child Law Advice, which explains what happens and how to prepare for questions you and your child will be asked.

Also in this section:

Health

Guidance on the information the LA will seek around your child’s health needs.