Turning 18: moving into adult social care

Adult social care does not have to wait until the 18th birthday

Under the Care Act transition provisions, a young person can have a transition assessment before 18 where they are likely to have needs for care and support after turning 18 and the council considers there is significant benefit in assessing them at that time.

The timing is meant to be based on when an assessment will be useful. It is not simply a rule that everyone is assessed at one fixed age.

There are three different transition assessments

The key question: what happens to support on the day they turn 18?

Do not accept a vague answer such as “adult services will pick it up.” Ask which service will meet each identified need, who is responsible, when it starts and what happens if the adult assessment is not finished by the birthday.

Money changes at 18

Children's social care and adult social care use different charging frameworks. Once adult social care is involved, the council may carry out a financial assessment of the adult to decide whether they must contribute towards chargeable care and support.

Read the Financial Assessment & Care Charges guide.

Who makes decisions after 18?

Turning 18 does not automatically mean a parent can continue making decisions for their son or daughter, and disability does not automatically mean the young person lacks capacity. The Mental Capacity Act starts from the principle that an adult has capacity unless it is established otherwise for the specific decision.

If there is doubt about a particular decision, capacity must be considered for that decision and at the relevant time. Support should be provided to help the person make their own decision before concluding that they cannot.

Read the Mental Capacity & Decision Making guide.

If a parent or family member will keep providing unpaid care

The carer's own needs matter separately. A carer's assessment can look at the impact of caring, the outcomes the carer wants to achieve and whether the caring role is sustainable.

Read the Carer's Assessments guide.

Housing and supported living

If the young person may move into supported living or another adult housing arrangement, keep the housing decision separate from the care decision. A tenancy or licence, housing costs and care/support funding can involve different organisations and rules.

Read the Supported Living & Housing guide.

If the council says it is too early

Ask for the decision and reasons in writing. The issue is whether the young person is likely to have adult care and support needs and whether there would be significant benefit in assessing now. If circumstances change, the question can be raised again.

England. Last reviewed: 21 September 2026.