The differences between child and adult support services

Making the move from a children’s support service to an adult support service is an essential and exciting chapter in a young person’s life. At Lifeways, we’ll be by your side to ensure your transition process goes as smoothly as possible.

To help you understand the process, we've put together some ‌differences between child and adult support services.

What are adult support services?

Adult support services, also known as adult social care, provide support for individuals aged 18 and over and are designed to help people with complex needs and conditions lead independent, fulfilling and happy lives.

At Lifeways, we pride ourselves on providing extraordinary care and supporting each individual's personal ambitions.

What are the differences between child and adult care services?

Transitioning into adulthood often means more independence, and the move from child to adult support services will offer you the same opportunity, whether that’s moving into supported living and experiencing greater independence, or making more choices about your support and treatment plan.

Get prepared for this transition by reading our page about moving on to adult services.

At what age may an individual be classed as an adult with care and support needs?

An individual is typically considered an adult with care and support needs at the age of 18 or older. The Care Act 2014 defines an adult as someone aged 18 or over who requires care and support.

The transition process typically begins around age 14 and runs between ages 16 and 18, aligning with your transition into adulthood.

How does the transition to adult support services work?

During your journey through child support services, it’s likely that when talking to support workers, doctors and other healthcare professionals, they will have mainly discussed your treatment and support plans with your parents or loved ones.

When you transition to adult support services, you’ll be able to get more involved with decisions regarding your support. This includes collaborating with support workers and health professionals to discuss support plans with you, alongside your parents and carers.

You will have input on what you want to achieve, including any goals or desires which will influence your support plan, so you receive the most effective support to lead a happy, fulfilling life.

What is a care transition assessment?

When a child approaches their 18th birthday, they, a loved one or a carer may request a care needs assessment from their local authority.

This is because their situation may have changed dramatically, which in turn may alter any care needs.

A care needs assessment is designed to monitor how people manage daily tasks and assess areas of their daily life, including:

The ability to manage personal care
How easily people can move around their home
Ability to manage domestic tasks like preparing meals, doing the laundry
Their capability to lead a social life and access the community

What will happen to my child's existing care and support services whilst they're being assessed?

A child or young carer receiving children's services will continue to receive them during the assessment process, either until:

The adult care and support is in place to take over
It’s clear after the assessment that adult care and support doesn’t need to be provided

What is adult supported living?

If your next step is to leave the family home, then supported living is an option for you.

Supported living will allow you to live in your own home where you can ‌decorate your space, manage your bills, and develop valuable life skills, all with 24/7 support from our friendly support workers as and when you need it.

On our supported living page, you can learn more about what to expect from this care service.

Adult support services in your own home

If your plan is to continue living with your family, then support in your own home might be the better option. This support is provided by our local teams who spend time with people in their own homes, out in the community or even overnight in some cases.

This differs from supported living and residential care, where support is provided to people living within Lifeways’ self-contained apartments or shared housing.

Will I pay for my home care support services now that I'm 18?

Once you turn 18, you will likely be eligible for funding with only some responsibility for contributing towards the cost of your care needs, depending on your circumstances.

Social services will conduct a financial assessment to determine how much you can afford to contribute, taking into account your income and capital.

Get your finances sorted beforehand with our helpful guide to social care funding.

Will I have the same support carer once I transition to adult care support services?

No, you are unlikely to have the same care support worker after transitioning to adult care support services.

Adult care services are typically organised differently from children's support services, and the specific teams will likely change. You may be assigned different carers for specific tasks or assessments, but a permanent, ongoing allocation to the same carer is not typical in adult care.

Meet the executive leadership team that ensures Lifeways continues to deliver high-quality, person-centred support that changes lives.

Alisha's transition into adult home care support services

One of our supported living residents, Alisha, made the move from a college for people with disabilities to a Lifeways supported living shared house.

“My family wanted the best outcome for me, but to be honest, mum wanted me to live nearer to her,” said Alisha. “Lifeways reassured her that I’d have full control of my support and she would still be able to be in the picture as much as she could, so I think that helped her accept my decision.”

Read more about Alisha’s transition from child to adult support care services journey here.

Adult support services near you

Lifeways is the UK's largest team of professionals who support adults living with complex needs in the community. Across England, Scotland, and Wales, we support adults with needs including:

We’ve supported countless young adults in their transition to adult services, and we’ll be here to help your family through this journey.

Contact our friendly team at Lifeways

For further information, please contact our friendly team, who will be happy to help.

Child vs adult support services FAQs

What is the difference between child and adult support services?

Child support services are for children and young people who need extra help with their development, education and health. Adult support services are for anyone aged 18 or over who requires support managing their daily lives while retaining a level of independence.

Why is transition planning important?

It is important to plan the transition to adult support services to ensure continuity of care and support. This allows individuals, families and support providers to prepare for changes in goals, responsibilities and funding arrangements.

How early should the adult support services transition planning begin?

It's a good idea to begin transition plans around ages 14 and 16 to allow enough time to prepare for adulthood and ensure a seamless transition between the two services.

Are parents still involved in adult support services?

Yes, parents and other family members can continue to play an important role. At Lifeways, we will always respect your choices and the level of independence you’re comfortable with.

How can families help with the transition to adult services?

Families can help by supporting future goals, encouraging independence, and working with professionals to create a smooth transition plan into adult services.