You can still get social care support after you turn 18.

What the support involves

We aim to support young people reach the goals they want to achieve in their lives. We do this together with: 

  • our young people
  • their families or carers
  • staff who work with them
  • any partnered providers 

We focus on identifying people's strengths and providing support that can help young people:  

  • live as independently as they can
  • find local support and activities
  • be heard and make long term decisions about their care and support
  • meet their employment, education, life and health goals 

How the process works

For young people under 18 receiving a social care service, we’ll be planning for your move to adulthood from the age of 14. This can be if you’re receiving support as a Child in our Care or have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Our Disabled Children and Young People Service (DCYPS) will assign you a social worker to understand your needs. 

This includes a Care Act Eligibility assessment and a Moving to Adulthood Profile. The profile will include your and your families’ plans and wishes for the future.  

Before you turn 18, we'll meet with you, your parents or carers and professionals to build a support plan. We'll need to get approval to fund the care plan. This will cover the support you need from age 18 onwards.  

You can change this at key points of your transition, for example for your 18th birthday or when you leave school. We'll need to approve any funding changes.  

We review the support plan every year.

If you do not have an EHCP

You may still be able to get support if you think you’ll have care and support needs after you turn 18. How you access support in these circumstances will depend on your needs. 

If you do not currently have an EHCP and are under 18, you should make a referral to DCYPS to ask if you need a Care Act Eligibility assessment.

Your parent, carer or a professional working with you can make this referral on your behalf.

Make a referral

If you or your child is under 18 years old, contact Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) to explore your options.

Contact MASH

Email: mash-referrals@royalgreenwich.gov.uk 

Phone: 0208 921 3172

If you or your child is over 18 years old, contact the Contact and Assessment Team to explore your options within Adults Services. This includes any safeguarding concerns you may have.

Contact the Contact and Assessment Team 

Email: aops.contact.officers@royalgreenwich.gov.uk 

Telephone: 020 8921 2304

If you or your child is over 18 years old, has a learning disability and needs care and support, contact the Community Learning Disability Team.

Contact the Community Learning Disability Team

Email: oxl-tr.cldtteamsupport@nhs.net 

Phone: 0208 921 4860