{"id":2968,"date":"2024-03-22T11:25:27","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T11:25:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/?post_type=article&p=2968"},"modified":"2024-09-03T09:32:03","modified_gmt":"2024-09-03T09:32:03","slug":"eligibility-for-formal-support-children-and-young-people","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/article\/eligibility-for-formal-support-children-and-young-people\/","title":{"rendered":"Eligibility for formal support (children and young people)"},"content":{"rendered":"

There may come a time when you decide that the needs of your child means you need additional support from social work services.<\/span><\/p>\n

It might be you that makes this decision. Or it may be that someone else, such as a Carers\u2019 Centre, school nurse or even a friend might suggest that you get in touch with social work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you will be able to get formal support from social work services depends on your child and your family\u2019s circumstances and needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Who can get support?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

Each council area has slightly different rules about which children and families are able to get formal, funded support. These rules are known as eligibility criteria.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally, the eligibility criteria will be based around how much your child\u2019s needs impact on family life, and if there is a risk of family breakdown.<\/span><\/p>\n

To find out if your child is eligible, the social work department will carry out an assessment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Find out more about what this involves in the next section: <\/span>Assessment of your child’s needs<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

The law says children under 18 who need additional support have the right to an assessment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your council cannot make a decision if your child is eligible for support, until they have completed an assessment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your child also does not need a formal diagnosis to ask for an assessment. Their practical support needs will be the same, with or without a formal diagnosis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your council will have a lengthy waiting list so it is likely that, unless there is a risk of harm to your child, there will be a wait to have an assessment.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What other types of support can my child get?<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

While you are waiting for the assessment, you should be referred to other organisations who can support you.<\/span><\/p>\n

These might be organisations that support children with specific health conditions, your local Carers\u2019 Centre, or local community groups.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your council has to signpost you to other support services in your area or further afield. They might put you in touch with a Local Area Co-ordinator for further help.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Next steps<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\n

It may be useful to speak to a local Independent Support Organisation or Carers\u2019 Centre if your child needs support.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can find your local Independent Support Organisation using the <\/span>Find Help<\/span><\/a> search tool.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can find your local Carers\u2019 Centre here.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Read the next page: Assessment of your child’s needs<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Your local Social Work department will have a limited budget to support everyone who feels they could benefit from formal, funded support. They will use a set of rules to work out which families can access this support.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2968","article","type-article","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/2968","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/article"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/2968\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3387,"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/2968\/revisions\/3387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/handbook.scot\/sds-handbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2968"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}