Services Available to You

Below are the different services that are available to you as a disabled young person.

Help in your home

Sometimes it isn't possible to be totally independent and you will need some help to do things. This can be through the provision of Equipment and Adaptations being provided at home to help you move around. For example, ramps, shower seats and other things all come via an Occupational Therapist.

For more information, see Occupational Therapy.

People (Direct Payments)

This is when someone actually comes into your home to help you with the things you cannot do for yourself without help.

These people can either be employed by Social Services or a private agency or you can decide to employ someone yourself and you will be given some money to do this. This system is called Direct Payments.

For help to access Direct Payments contact:

The Centre for Integrated Living, Hartford Business Centre Hartford, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 2AB
Tel: 01606 888255 :: Fax: 01606 883292
Email: cdfcil@btinternet.com

Help outside of your home

This is usually about helping you to become more independent by learning new skills, making new friends and looking at new opportunities for you to develop as a young adult.

How you get this help

There are college courses you can attend, as well as day activities based within Social Services. What you do will depend on your interests and abilities.

You may also want to look at work opportunities, perhaps by starting in a small way with help and gradually increasing this.

Social Services can also arrange short breaks away from your own home which can give you the experience of living with other people for a few days at a time.

It is also possible for Social Services to help you work towards enough independence to live away from your parents when you get older, either by having your own home or sharing with a few other people.

Talk to your Care Manager when you are doing your 'Assessment' and they will be able to explain about the various options you might have.

There are also various leaflets available which you can ask for from your local Social Care Team.

What will Services Cost?

There are some disadvantages in being 18 and an adult. One of these is that you have more responsibilities and this also means you are assessed to pay for some things!

This means that you will have to pay a little from the money you already receive because you have a disability. If you are not sure what you receive talk to your parents and also ask your Care Manager to check that you are getting all the money you are entitled to because of your disability.