Skip to content

Support from Social Care

It might be that your family is struggling at the moment and needs some help. A professional who knows your family can refer you to get support from Children's Services if your family needs support. When a referral is made it goes to the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)MASH is a multi agency assessment team. They look at all the information they have and make a decision on the best course of action. 

They may decide that your family does not meet the threshold for their intervention. If this happens you may still be offered advice and signposting.  

If they decide your family meets the threshold, the MASH team will then have to decide at what level help needs to be delivered at. It may be that you need help at the early help level, the Child in Need Level or the Child Protection Level. 

There are different teams in children services. The Family Help Team coordinates multiple services, including the early help offering for Hampshire families with children and young people in need. They work to ensure that families receive the right support at right time, from the right professional.

The Family Help Team is usually the team that carry out Section 17(Child in Need) and Section 47 (Child Protection) assessments. This support is available to all families who meet the criteria, not just families of children with a disability.

Parents can also be referred to parenting courses run by the Family Help Teams. These include;

  • Family Links Nurture Programme - 10 week course
  • Tots Talking - 8 week virtual course
  • Talking Teens - 4 week course
  • Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) - 8 week course
  • Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences (PAACE) - Child PAACE is an 8 week course, Adult PAACE is a 10 week course

More information about these courses

If you would like to do one of these courses you or a professional who knows you can complete the right form for your area:

Specifically for families where a child has a disability, there is the Children with Disabilities Team which supports families who have children with the most severe and profound disabilities. These children will usually be in SEN schools and will require constant care, attention and supervision which their immediate family may not be able to provide without support, leading to unmet social care needs. MASH can refer to this team if this is needed and so can Family Help Team. For more information please see below.

The Children Act 1989 provides the basis in law for most of children’s services’ duties and responsibilities towards children and their families.

The LA provide help if you have a disabled child, including:

  • short break services
  • holiday play schemes
  • care at home
  • some aids and adaptations
  • financial help, for example money towards travel costs for hospital visits

Whilst some of these free of charge, we might ask you to contribute towards others. 

Some of things you can access without an assessment by a social worker including: 

Others require an assessment by a social worker.

We have a duty to develop and publish a local eligibility criteria that explains how we will decide whether a child in need, including a disabled child, is eligible for support from statutory services once that child’s needs have been assessed. All Local Authorities have to develop their own criteria so if you move from one LA to another, you will need to be reassessed and that LA's eligibility criteria will be applied when deciding whether to provide support.

To request an assessment you can call Children's Services on 0300 555 1384 or Email childrens.services@hants.gov.uk.

Emails are dealt with Monday-Thursday 8.30-5pm and Friday 8.30-4.30pm.

The Children Act 1989 provides the basis in law for most of children’s services’ duties and responsibilities towards children and their families.

The LA provide help if you have a disabled child, including:

  • short break services
  • holiday play schemes
  • care at home
  • some aids and adaptations
  • financial help, for example money towards travel costs for hospital visits

Whilst some of these free of charge, we might ask you to contribute towards others. 

Some of things you can access without an assessment by a social worker including: 

Others require an assessment by a social worker.

We have a duty to develop and publish a local eligibility criteria that explains how we will decide whether a child in need, including a disabled child, is eligible for support from statutory services once that child’s needs have been assessed. All Local Authorities have to develop their own criteria so if you move from one LA to another, you will need to be reassessed and that LA's eligibility criteria will be applied when deciding whether to provide support.

To request an assessment you can call Children's Services on 0300 555 1384 or Email childrens.services@hants.gov.uk.

Emails are dealt with Monday-Thursday 8.30-5pm and Friday 8.30-4.30pm.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers works as a partner of Hampshire County Council to and is a brilliant source of advice, information and support to carers. 

Visit The Princess Royal Trust for Carers Information Hub

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers has been commissioned to carry out carer's assessments for people caring for a disabled adult and also assist with emergency planning in case you are unable to provide care for any reason. 

They are also able to give small grants to carers if they meet the criteria of Household Support Fund.

Contact The Princess Royal Trust for Carers

The Care Act 2014 sets out an eligibility threshold for care and support. The eligibility threshold consists of three criteria, all of which must be met. The eligibility threshold for service users is based on identifying:

  1. Whether a person’s needs are due to a physical or mental impairment or illness; and
  2. Whether those needs mean that the person is unable to achieve two or more specified outcomes; and
  3. As a consequence whether there is, or is likely to be, a significant impact on the person’s wellbeing.

There is also a national eligibility threshold for carers.

The carer’s eligibility threshold is based on the three following conditions;

  1. Their needs are a consequence of providing necessary care for an adult;
  2. Those needs mean that they are unable to achieve specified outcomes, or puts their health at risk; and
  3. As a consequence this has a significant impact on their wellbeing. All of these conditions must be met for a carer to be eligible.

Carers UK has created this simple video to explain carer's assessments:

 

For more information please see our Care Act webpage. 

People who care for someone aged 18 or over — even if that person is their child — must be both willing and able to provide that care. Parental responsibility ends when a child turns 18.

If you tell us that you are no longer able or willing to care for the disabled adult, this does not mean they will be taken away from you. It simply means we will work with you to understand the situation and arrange extra support to help you both.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers works as a partner of Hampshire County Council to and is a brilliant source of advice, information and support to carers. 

Visit The Princess Royal Trust for Carers Information Hub

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers has been commissioned to carry out carer's assessments for people caring for a disabled adult and also assist with emergency planning in case you are unable to provide care for any reason. 

They are also able to give small grants to carers if they meet the criteria of Household Support Fund.

Contact The Princess Royal Trust for Carers

The Care Act 2014 sets out an eligibility threshold for care and support. The eligibility threshold consists of three criteria, all of which must be met. The eligibility threshold for service users is based on identifying:

  1. Whether a person’s needs are due to a physical or mental impairment or illness; and
  2. Whether those needs mean that the person is unable to achieve two or more specified outcomes; and
  3. As a consequence whether there is, or is likely to be, a significant impact on the person’s wellbeing.

There is also a national eligibility threshold for carers.

The carer’s eligibility threshold is based on the three following conditions;

  1. Their needs are a consequence of providing necessary care for an adult;
  2. Those needs mean that they are unable to achieve specified outcomes, or puts their health at risk; and
  3. As a consequence this has a significant impact on their wellbeing. All of these conditions must be met for a carer to be eligible.

Carers UK has created this simple video to explain carer's assessments:

 

For more information please see our Care Act webpage. 

People who care for someone aged 18 or over — even if that person is their child — must be both willing and able to provide that care. Parental responsibility ends when a child turns 18.

If you tell us that you are no longer able or willing to care for the disabled adult, this does not mean they will be taken away from you. It simply means we will work with you to understand the situation and arrange extra support to help you both.

Children’s services usually stop providing support at age 18. Adult services may provide ongoing support, depending on need. Transition should be a gradual, planned process, not a sudden change

Key things to remember when transitoning from children's to adult's social care:

  • Start planning early - transition takes time – it is not a single event
  • Adult services are different and eligibility may change
  • Your child’s views should be central
  • You should be involved throughout
  • Support is available even if adult social care is not

Independent Futures Team

In Hampshire, the Independent Futures Team supports young people who:

  • Have significant disabilities
  • Have complex support needs

They will:

  • Help plan for adulthood
  • Support your child to build independence
  • Work with professionals involved in your child’s life  

How does the transition process work?

Step 1: Referral

A referral is needed to start transition support. This is usually completed by a professional who knows your child well but you can also make the referral. 

Step 2: Assessment

Your child may have a transition assessment to understand:

  • Their care and support needs after 18
  • Their goals and wishes
  • What support may be needed in adulthood  

The assessment will takes place at a suitable time for your child and will require your child’s consent (or a best interest decision if needed).  

Step 3: Planning support

If your child is eligible, a plan will be created.

This may include:

  • Care services
  • Community support
  • Help to build independence

Support may come from services, family and friends or local community resources.

Not all young people will qualify for adult social care.

Adult services use eligibility rules set out in the Care Act 2014.

This looks at:

  • Whether your child has needs due to a disability or health condition
  • Whether they need support with daily living

👉 If your child is not eligible:

  • You will still receive advice
  • You will be signposted to other services

Will we have to pay for support?

  • There is no charge for support from the Independent Futures Team
  • If care services are provided, your young person may need to contribute towards the cost after a financial assessment

What if my child needs extra help to take part?

If your child finds assessments or meetings difficult, they can get support.

This may include:

  • An advocate to help them share their views
  • Support from a parent, carer or trusted adult

Support for parents and carers

You may also be entitled to support.

  • You can request a carer’s assessment
  • This looks at your needs now and in the future

Make a referral to Independent Futures

Children’s services usually stop providing support at age 18. Adult services may provide ongoing support, depending on need. Transition should be a gradual, planned process, not a sudden change

Key things to remember when transitoning from children's to adult's social care:

  • Start planning early - transition takes time – it is not a single event
  • Adult services are different and eligibility may change
  • Your child’s views should be central
  • You should be involved throughout
  • Support is available even if adult social care is not

Independent Futures Team

In Hampshire, the Independent Futures Team supports young people who:

  • Have significant disabilities
  • Have complex support needs

They will:

  • Help plan for adulthood
  • Support your child to build independence
  • Work with professionals involved in your child’s life  

How does the transition process work?

Step 1: Referral

A referral is needed to start transition support. This is usually completed by a professional who knows your child well but you can also make the referral. 

Step 2: Assessment

Your child may have a transition assessment to understand:

  • Their care and support needs after 18
  • Their goals and wishes
  • What support may be needed in adulthood  

The assessment will takes place at a suitable time for your child and will require your child’s consent (or a best interest decision if needed).  

Step 3: Planning support

If your child is eligible, a plan will be created.

This may include:

  • Care services
  • Community support
  • Help to build independence

Support may come from services, family and friends or local community resources.

Not all young people will qualify for adult social care.

Adult services use eligibility rules set out in the Care Act 2014.

This looks at:

  • Whether your child has needs due to a disability or health condition
  • Whether they need support with daily living

👉 If your child is not eligible:

  • You will still receive advice
  • You will be signposted to other services

Will we have to pay for support?

  • There is no charge for support from the Independent Futures Team
  • If care services are provided, your young person may need to contribute towards the cost after a financial assessment

What if my child needs extra help to take part?

If your child finds assessments or meetings difficult, they can get support.

This may include:

  • An advocate to help them share their views
  • Support from a parent, carer or trusted adult

Support for parents and carers

You may also be entitled to support.

  • You can request a carer’s assessment
  • This looks at your needs now and in the future

Make a referral to Independent Futures

Helpful links