Accessing the right level of support
All children and young people with a diagnosis of a disability are entitled to an assessment under The Children Act 1989.
An early help worker or social worker will assess the child or young person’s needs to ensure that the right level of support is provided. When an assessment of need has taken place, specialist services may be agreed for children and young people with severe and profound disabilities.
If a social care assessment identifies that there are unmet social care needs which cannot be met through the universal provision, then short breaks support may be provided such as;
- care support within and outside the home, this could be:
- through a direct payment allocation which can be used by the family to pay someone to either come to the house to do activities with the child or young person, or to take the child or young person into the community.
- domiciliary care in the family home and in the community.
- overnight stays at one of the local authority’s specialist regulated residential homes which are registered and Ofsted inspected to provide outstanding care and support short breaks
- a specialist activity not requiring parental, carer or guardian attendance
- a short break with a specially trained foster carer
This additional support is needed by some families because of the nature of the child’s disability, or because of individual family circumstances.
