Adult Social Care: Moving Into Adulthood (Guide) - WNC

Moving into adulthood is an important stage of your life. You will need to make plans for your future care and support so you can live as independently as possible.

Even though you will be an adult at age 18, you will still be learning and developing. West Northamptonshire Council's Adult Social Care Team will support you in building on all the things you are good at and help you develop the things you are not so good at. This will help you to become as independent as possible. The team call this progression.

It might be that you cannot make specific decisions about what your care and support should look like (and you are over the age of 16). Other people can make those decisions for you if that's the case. This is done under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

How To Get Support From West Northamptonshire Council's Adult Social Care Team

If You Currently Receive Support From Northamptonshire Children's Trust:

If you receive support from Northamptonshire Children's Trust (including Leaving Care Services), please speak with your worker. They will contact the Adult Social Care Team and ask them to meet with you to learn more about you. This is called a referral.  

The referral usually happens once you reach the age of 16.

If You Don't Currently Receive Support From Northamptonshire Children's Trust: 

You can contact the Adult Social Care Team here. If you're over 18, you can do it yourself. If you're under 18, you can ask your parent, carer, or school to do it for you.

If you have an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Plan, your school should already be helping you to prepare for when you turn 18. 

What Happens Next

Once the Adult Social Care Team at West Northamptonshire Council receive your referral, they will work out which Adult Social Care Local Community Team (Hub) is right for you.

If you have a learning disability, there are specialist community hubs in Daventry and Northampton.

The Adult Social Care Team will have a Moving Into Adulthood (MIA) conversation with you. It usually takes place within ten working days of receiving your referral.

The MIA conversation helps the Adult Social Care Team learn more about what you might need when you turn 18. It also gives you more information about adult social care.  

Together, you can decide the best time to start planning the support you might need when you reach adulthood.  

Some of the Questions You Might Want To Think About Include:

• How do you feel about the support you currently receive, and does it work for you?
• What would you like to do as an adult? For example, getting a job or voluntary work or going to college.
• What type of social activities would you like to be involved with? For example, things like joining local groups, meeting new people, or developing your interests or hobbies.
• What would make you happier and healthier?  
• What do you need help with to become more independent or manage on a daily basis?