Why is it useful to have a social worker?
Social Care funds day service, respite and short break provision. A social care assessment may enable the young person to get support in the form of a Personal Budget/Direct Payment to help develop supported independence to pursue hobbies or activities. They can also provide access to overnight respite. A social worker works with families to provide advice and support in most aspects of the young person鈥檚 life in the community. Social workers help to protect vulnerable children and adults from harm or abuse, and support people to live independently. Once a child has been assessed as having a social care need, they will be allocated a Social Worker or Care Manager. A Care manager monitors and supports the family once a plan is in place under the direction of a Social Worker. Your young person may have a Social Worker attached to the SEN Department. If needs are more complex it could be a Learning Disability team Social Worker. As your young person approaches adulthood, from age 17 they will be allocated a Transitional Social Worker to support the move to adult services. Once an adult, support will be from an Adult Social Worker initially, with day-to-day support provided by a Care Manager.
If you do not have a Social Worker, there are a couple of options:
- Early help assessment may be requested by school
- You can request an assessment of your child/young person鈥檚 social care needs.
If other medical professionals e.g Paediatrician, Neurologist, Psychiatrist, Learning Disability Nurse are involved they could refer to social care.