The TASC Team at Devon County Council focuses on the early identification of young people who are likely to require care and support in adulthood.
Our goal is to ensure that these young people, along with their families and those that care for them, feel well-informed and prepared for the transition into adulthood.
Transition should be an ongoing process rather than a single event and it should be tailored to suit a young person’s needs.
Why make a referral?
We work with young people in Devon who find daily activities challenging due to illness, disability, or other reasons.
If a young person has an impairment, illness, or disability and this is affecting their ability to manage daily activities and impacting their well-being, you can make a referral to the TASC Team.
The TASC Team will consider the young person’s specific needs and determine what kind of support can help them live more comfortably and independently. Our goal is to:
- help you live as independently as possible for as long as possible
- focus on the positive aspects of your life
- encourage self-care and support you to gain or retain your independence and live your best life
For more details about adult social care and the conversations we might have with you, please see What does adult social care do?
How to contact us
If you are a young person between the ages of 14 and 18, a carer, parent, or professional seeking support from the TASC team, you should first complete our referral form. The form can be completed by a young person themselves or by anyone that has gained consent from the young person or their family.
Please provide us with as much information as possible about the young person you wish to refer. We cannot accept bulk or generic referrals, and the form needs to include information about the current impairments, disabilities, diagnoses or health conditions of the young person and the support you feel will be needed into adulthood.
Consent must be sought before the form is completed.
Please be aware that the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) applies to all people aged 16 and over. Considering the MCA will support you to clarify who can consent to a preparing for adulthood referral.
If the referred person is over 16 and they have mental capacity, they can consent to this referral. If they are over 16 but lack capacity to consent to this referral, the MCA states the decision must be made in their best interests.
If you have any questions about making a referral to the TASC team, the services we provide, or wider questions about adult social care please call us on 01392 381291 or email us at tasc@devon.gov.uk.
What happens next
A member of the team will get in touch with the parent, carer or young person when the young person is around 16 years of age to introduce themselves and allow them to ask any questions they have about adult social care. Please note we will not be attending EHCP reviews before year 11 at the earliest.
Referrals may also be made to other appropriate services at this time, such as children’s services, occupational therapists, Reaching for Independence service, or Devon Carers.
The allocated team member will be able to discuss referrals to these and other appropriate services throughout their involvement, and you can also find information about these services and more on our website.
We may also implement some technology aids and apps where this is suitable. The workers may also recommend and complete referrals for carer’s assessments for family members or others who support the young person. Carer’s assessments can take place from when the young person is 17 and a half years old.
The TASC team does not hold case responsibility for young people, as under the Children and Families Act 2014 this remains with children’s agencies until the age of 18.
A Care Act assessment may be required following these conversations. This is an opportunity to discuss the young person’s needs, what is going well for them at the moment and any goals they have for the future.
The assessment will determine if the young person has eligible needs under the Care Act and how these needs will be met after they reach their 18th birthday.