Alert!
Assessment and Review Team (AaRT)
In 2021 Adult services was restructured.
What were formerly the Adult Learning Disability and Preparing for Adulthood Teams have developed into an adult’s service to include adults with physical disabilities.
The newly formed Adult Service has expanded to respond to the needs of adults who:
- have learning disabilities
- have physical disabilities
- are autistic
The Assessment and Review Team (AaRT) support people who are likely to have significant and ongoing need for care and support throughout their lives and are eligible under the Care Act 2014.
Having a disability can have an impact on people’s lives for a number of reasons, including, performing household tasks, managing money, personal care access to the community as well as opportunities for education and employment.
The service aims to:
- support young people to make a contribution to the communities in which they live
- enable young people to access universal and natural support
- encourage young people to achieve their goals and ambitions
- support young people in achieving a healthy lifestyle
- treat young people as partners, with dignity and respect
- enable and support young people to be safe but not restricted
- help young people to develop networks in their local area
What we do
We can start working with young people who have a learning disability, physical disability and or Autism from the age of 14, this will mainly be to start gathering information or attending school and ECHP reviews- involvement from an identified worker increases as a young person approaches 18. This work is undertaken by our Young Adult and Independent Living Team (YAaIL) which is also part of the adult’s service.
Our main aims are to promote independence and to empower young people to do as much as they can for themselves or with their peers (not always with carers) as well as promoting employment, health/well-being and independent living.
To receive services as an adult people need to be eligible under the Care Act 2014, however, AaRT will advise guide and signpost where people are ineligible for services.
Eligibility
To understand if a person is eligible for support from Adult Social Care, we assess under the Care Act 2014.
Not all people who have a Special Need, Disability, Autism or who are deemed vulnerable will meet the eligibility of the Care Act and therefore are not necessarily entitled to social care services. We will signpost and support people to universal services where this is the case.
For those people whose primary need is their mental health, a pathway into adult mental health services should be considered, including assessment under the Care Act (delegated responsibility). Adult Mental Health Services are provided by East London Foundation Trust
How to access support
We accept referrals from a range of professionals, families and directly from the person with an appearance of need. A referral can be made via the Council’s Contact Centre 0300 300 8000 and or our First Response Team who will take the information and pass this directly to AaRT.
Once we have received the referral for support we will make contact with the referrer to acknowledge we have received it- giving details of the team and when we are likely to be in touch to undertake a Care Act assessment.
What we get involved in
- Our Independent Lifestyles Officers (commonly referred to as TILT) work with people to practically support their independence, this can be cooking, cleaning, using public transport, developing peer networks, friendships, signposting to universal services, looking for job opportunities as well as support to access benefits and housing (i.e. housing register).
- Contribute to the development and advice within Education Health and Care plans
- Lead Multi-disciplinary meetings
- Undertake all statutory responsibilities under the Care Act 2014 (eligibility applies)