Social care

As a parent of a disabled child you are entitled to certain services that can help you, your child and your family.

Some disabled children and their families will need practical support both inside the home and outside it. Local authorities and trusts have a legal responsibility to provide this extra help.

Browse these pages to find out what support you might be eligible for, and how to get it.

Introduction

A young child with striped socks sits in a sling attached to a ceiling lift above their bed in a cozy, colorful room. The room is decorated with stuffed animals, DVDs on shelves, and vibrant bedding. The child appears focused and engaged.

What is social care?

Some disabled children and their parents will need practical support both inside the home and outside it.

A woman with short hair and a black jacket embraces a young boy in a gray hoodie. They are indoors, standing in front of a red table with papers and a whiteboard. The boy looks up at the woman, and they both wear pin badges. The background includes a mural and brick column.

Needs assessments

A needs assessment is the process social services use to decide whether you need extra help to meet your family's needs.

Women playing with young child - they are sitting on the floor

Carer’s assessments: your needs as a carer

Advice on asking for a carer's assessment, what the assessment looks like and what happens after the assessment.

Family walking in the park with child in pushchair

Personal budgets and direct payments

You might have different options for how you choose, manage and pay for the care you and your family need.

A girl laughs as she wades through shallow water near a sandy beach. In the background, an amusement pier extends into the calm sea under a clear blue sky.

Short breaks

Local authorities/trusts now have duties to provide short break services and make clear how families can access them.

Blue Badge disabled parking permits

A Blue Badge allows you to park close to where you need to go, such as in disabled parking spaces.

Child preparing for zipline with instructor at woodland adventure day

Holidays, play and leisure

Local authorities must support children who need practical help to play or to access certain activities and leisure facilities.

Hiring a personal assistant

You might choose to employ a personal assistant if you receive direct payments or a personal budget.

Mum with child who is trying out a sensory toy at a Kidz to Adultz event.

Aids & equipment

Caring for a disabled child can sometimes become easier with the use of certain aids and equipment.

Home adaptations

An adaptation is a change made to your home to make it more accessible and safer for a disabled person.

HemiHelp - teenager jumping on trampoline

Moving into adult services

A disabled child receiving support from children's services in England will be transitioned to adult support when they turn 18.

Teenager wearing helmet at rock climbing wall

Paying for adult care services

Social services can charge for care provided to an adult over 18.

A woman helps a young boy fasten his safety harness, while another boy stands nearby, already wearing his harness. A person in a

Making a complaint about services

You can make a complaint if your local authority/trust has refused to assess or if there are problems with services.

How can we help?