Care Act transition assessment
An assessment of the care and support a young person will need as an adult. It can happen well before they turn 18, so support does not simply stop.
Applies in England
Children's social care usually ends at 18, and adult social care does not take over by itself. A transition assessment under the Care Act 2014 works out what your child is likely to need as an adult, and it should happen when there is likely to be a need, not just when they turn 18. You can ask the local authority for one. If your child is likely to need care as an adult, asking early gives everyone time to plan, so nothing falls away on their eighteenth birthday.
Across the UK
- Assessment under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 : In Wales, care and support needs are assessed under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 rather than the Care Act.
- Adult care assessment and self-directed support : In Scotland, adult care is arranged under Scottish law, including self-directed support, rather than the Care Act.
- Health and social care trust transition arrangements : In Northern Ireland, the local health and social care trust arranges the move to adult services.
Related words
Where this comes from
- Care and support statutory guidance , Department of Health and Social Care. Checked 2026-08-15.
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