There is a wide range of groups and services in Devon that can offer social care support to people with a disability. Many groups can be found on directories listed below:
You can also find many support services and advice on the following websites:
- Living Options – support for people with disabilities or an impairment in Devon
- Scope – a national charity that supports people with a disability or impairment
- GOV.UK – central government’s website that provides information and advice
- The Disabilities Trust – a national charity that supports people with brain injuries, physical disabilities or Autism
- Devon Partnership Trust (DPT) – information and advice for those supporting or people with a learning disability
- British Institute for Learning Disabilities (BILD) – useful information, resources and advice for people with a learning disability
- Mencap – advice and support for people with a learning disability
Helplines
If you live in the Devon area then you can contact Care Direct on 0345 155 1007 or email csc.caredirect@devon.gov.uk to discuss your needs.
If you live in the Torbay area, contact the Torbay Disability Information Service on 0300 456 8373.
If you live in Plymouth then try searching for support service on the Plymouth POD directory.
- Disabilities benefits helpline
- Personal budgets public helpline
- Disabled students public helpline
- Welfare rights helpline for member organisations
- Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS), for disabled people who feel they may have been discriminated against
- Mencap Direct – Helpline for people with learning disabilities
Find more helplines and support services on the SupportLine website.
Disability rights
As a person with a disability or impairment, knowing your rights can protect you from discrimination in many areas of your life.
- GOV.uk – Disabled people’s rights in everyday life
- Disability Rights – A website dedicated to the rights of people with disabilities or impairments
If you are on Twitter you can follow the conversation about disability rights: @DisRightsUK
To understand your rights as an employee, the WorkSmart website has signposting to lots of useful resources.
Other useful resources
- Calculating the National Minimum wage
- Factsheets on education and work support
- Student FAQs
- Disability Rights Handbook
- Disabled student helpline
Online news and communities
There are many online news, magazine and community websites where you can find the latest updates, conversations or information for people with a disability or impairment. Below is a list of some of those services that may be of interest:
The British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD) has a range of resources, covering topics such as staying active, health and wellbeing and dementia.
Dedicated news and magazine websites
- Disability Talk
- Disability News Service
- Learning Disability Today
- PosAbility Magazine
- Disability Today
Online peer/ communities support
Getting our support
To help identify where you can maximise your independence, try our self-help tool which is designed to offer suggestions and details of the type of support that can be found in Devon. The self-help tool will also help to highlight if a further care needs assessment would be appropriate.
Care needs assessments
If you have more complex needs then you might need a more detailed discussion about the help you need. This could happen over the phone or face-to-face. You may also be offered an assessment of your care and support needs and your eligibility for support.
More information can be found on our Getting our support page.