Social Services will carry out an assessment of your needs. We will discuss with you the things that you are having difficulty with and the help and care that you require. This is called a community care assessment. Wherever possible we will help you to stay in your own home but in some cases we will suggest that you consider moving into a care home.  

If you are in hospital, and require ongoing specialist medical care, then you may be entitled to receive care paid for by the NHS. Your nurse or social worker can give you straightforward advice and information about this.  

During a community care assessment - you can expect   

• To have your and your family's/carer's wishes and preferences listened to and taken into consideration.

• To be kept informed about decisions affecting you and who is responsible for making them.

• To be given written details of any care arranged for you and of any payment you will be expected to make.

You may find the following information useful:-  

'Your Handy Guide to Community Care'

'Are You Eligible For A Service'  

In what circumstances will Social Services Offer Financial Support For Residential Care ?  

You will be eligible for financial support if:  

1. you have been assessed as needing care following a community care assessment . 
2. you have less than £22,500 in realisable assets or savings (2008-2009 figures).  
3. you have less than £22,500 in savings even though you may have more than £22,500 in  realisable assets (for example if you own your own house or other property).  

What will I have to contribute to the cost ?  

Everyone supported by the authority has to pay towards the cost of their care in a home.  

We will work out your contribution by carrying out a financial assessment. This will take into account the income you receive from pensions, benefits etc and any savings you may have in excess of £13,500 (2008/9). If you have any savings which you hold jointly with a partner then we will disregard 50% of your joint savings.  

The assessment will also take account of any property that you own.  

Every person who is financially supported by Social Services will be left with a weekly personal allowance for their own use. This cannot be used to pay towards the costs of your care.  

Will I Have to Sell My Home?  

If the value of your home has been taken into account when calculating your capital assets, you may need to sell it in order to pay your contribution or find another way to pay the fees. However, it is up to you to decide when to sell your home. Until your property is sold we may place a 'charge' on your property.  This means that we can recover the fees that we have paid after the property is sold.  

If you have a property to sell, you are entitled to a three months property disregard following an assessment which confirms that you are in need of Council supported permanent residential accommodation.  This commences from the date of admission to permanent residential care. 

For more detailed information about the financial assessment ask your social worker for a copy of the leaflet 'Community care - A guide to charges for local authority homes and independent sector residential or nursing home accommodation'.  

Can I Choose Which Home I Go To?  

You have the right to choose any home you like, as long as Social Services agrees that it meets five key requirements :-  

1. The home is registered with the National Care Standards Commission.  
2. The home owner and Social Services have agreed a contract under the local authority's normal terms and conditions to ensure that you are properly cared for.  
3. The home has a vacancy - it may be possible to make some temporary arrangement until a place is available.
     
4. Social Services agree that it is suitable for your care needs.
     
5. The home does not cost more than Social Services usually pays for the care you need or if it does someone else can pay the difference ( this is called a third party contribution ).  

To assist you in making your choice your social worker will be able to provide you with a list of homes in the area of your choice. If you are unable to choose a home from this list (or there are no vacancies) then your social worker will be able to give you a wider selection although this will probably include homes from a much wider area. All homes should provide you with information/brochures about the services and facilities they offer and their policies which should cover such things as pets and smoking. 

You or your representative will be advised to visit the home(s) before making a final choice and if you have nobody to help you then your social worker will arrange a visit . Your social worker can also give you some guidance on the kind of questions to ask when you visit.  

Many organisations publish helpful leaflets. Here are some examples -  

Counsel and Care, Twyman House, 16, Bonny Street,   London  NW1 9PG
Tel. no. (local rate call) - 0845 300 7585  

Age Concern, Information and Policy Division, Age Concern   England  , Astral House, 1268,   London Road ,  London  SW 16 4ER
Tel. no. 0808 808 6060  

What standards can I expect from a care home ?  

If we are contributing to your fees then there will a contract between the home and  Social Services. The contract contains a specification of the services which the home must provide for the contracted price. In addition it sets out quality standards which the home is expected to meet:-  

• Residents are assisted to make decisions and exercise choices in all aspects of daily living.

• Residents are encouraged to maintain their independence.

• The home is a good place to live - it is a safe environment and feels like home.

• The individual resident is valued and their race, religion and culture is respected.

• Personal care and support is provided in a way that supports the resident and maintains their dignity.

• The privacy of residents is respected at all times (all rooms should have a lock) and confidentiality strictly observed.

• Residents are encouraged to maintain social relationships, and pursue interests and recreational activities (both within the home and the wider community).

•  Wherever possible continuity of support services and health services will be maintained.

• Staff are appropriately trained and managed to meet residents needs.

• All services will be regularly monitored to ensure that high quality care is provided at all times.

All residential homes are inspected twice a year and inspection reports are available in main libraries. From April 2004, the Commission for Social Care Inspection took over the responsibility for all inspections.  

If you wish to see the contract specification, then your social worker can provide you or your representative with a copy.  

The contract places obligations on Social Services and the home but it also places some obligations on you as the resident -  

• To pay your contribution promptly.
• To give the due period of notice to the home if you wish to leave (1 week during a trial period and 1 month for a permanent resident).

• To show consideration to other residents and follow the policies of the home.

Rights 

Your rights while living in a care home remain unaltered from those you already hold. These include the right to vote, to maintain or develop relationships with whoever you choose and to maintain religious observance.  

Do I have to remain in the home if I am not happy there ?  

When you have chosen a home, your first four weeks (or longer if necessary) will be a trial period. You do not have to remain in any home if you are not happy. If you choose to leave once you have become a permanent resident then you must give the home one month's notice.  

When I have chosen a home will I have to sign anything ?  

No, if we are contributing to your fees, the contract will be between Social Services and the home owner. It is therefore our responsibility and not you or your representative's to negotiate the charges with the home and to complete the paperwork.  

Third Party Contributions 

If someone is paying the difference between the price Social Services are paying and the fees the home charges (a third party contribution), then it is the third party's responsibility to pay this contribution direct to the home.  

What do the fees cover ? 

The contract will generally cover all the arrangements for you living in that home and the associated costs. If you or your representative are asked by the home to pay anything or to sign anything please do not do so without consulting your social worker.  

The fees cover the full use of all the amenities in the home (lounges, garden etc.) provision of all meals and drinks (including special diets), laundry, and the provision of assistance with personal care (washing, dressing, bathing and toileting) when this is required. A nursing home will in addition provide general nursing care and meet general nursing requirements including the provision of nursing equipment such as pressure relieving mattresses.  

If you require incontinence supplies, the Home will receive a payment from the NHS to cover these.  

There will be some incidental expenses - newspapers, stationery, telephone calls, stamps, sweets, hairdressing, clothes, toiletries which are not included in the contract price, and which you will have to pay for with your personal allowance.  

NHS-funded nursing care 

By law, local authorities cannot provide clinical services because the NHS is responsible for any care that must be provided by a registered nurse. You should be eligible to receive NHS-funded nursing care if:

• you have been assessed as requiring the services of a registered nurse
• you do not qualify for NHS continuing healthcare
• you are not receiving registered nursing care in another way e.g. from your primary care trust

If you are eligible and entering a home with funding from Social Services this will be arranged automatically.  Your contribution to the cost of your care will have taken account of the NHS-funded nursing care.  If you are paying all the fees for the Home yourself, the Home should contact the Nursing Homes Coordinator in the Local Primary Care Trust (the NHS).  The current NHS contribution to registered nursing care is £101 per week.

What do I pay to the home and when ? 

We will write to tell you or your representative how much you are expected to pay towards the fees of the home. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to advise you of your contribution before you enter the home. You should not pay anything to the home until we have advised you to do so. However, you should save your income to make sure that you have enough money to pay your contribution when you are advised to do so.  

In the meantime, we will pay your contribution on your behalf and reclaim it from the home later on. When you are notified of your contribution, you pay to the home the amount that you owe from the date you start living there. After that you should pay your weekly contribution direct to the home.   

Personal Allowance

Following the financial assessment by Social Services you will always be left with a small personal allowance. This cannot be used to top up your fees and you should not be asked by the home to pay this as a contribution. It is advisable to have this money readily available as there will be items you may want to purchase such as a paper, sweets, stamps - every home must provide a locked facility for keeping your money and valuables safe.  

What care services will I receive when I am living in a care home ?  

All homes provide personal care - help to get up, get dressed, get washed, get to the toilet, have a bath /shower, help with meals and taking medication and to get about if this is required.

If you have particular care needs or require special equipment then these will be specified on your Care/Service Plan. Details of your medical and nursing needs will be given to the home by your GP or hospital doctor and the associated nursing staff.  

Nursing homes, as well as providing personal care, provide nursing care which can include wound care, catheter care, pain control, oxygen therapy, artificial feeding. They are required to have a registered nurse on duty 24 hours a day. 

Where it is appropriate, you will also be given help and encouragement to remain as independent as possible.  

How will my medical needs be met ? 

If you will be living in the area covered by your GP then he or she will continue to visit you, otherwise arrangements will be made for you to register with a local GP practice. In a residential home you will receive any nursing attention you require from a district nurse or specialist nurse.  

You will be entitled to all NHS services whether you are in a nursing home or residential home. Some homes can arrange private health services for residents but these will be charged for.  

The home should arrange transport for any hospital appointments but they are not responsible for paying for this if there is a charge.  

What happens if my care needs change ? 

Your Care/Service Plan will be reviewed with you and staff at the home by a reviewing officer from Social Services on a regular basis and at least once a year. However, your needs can be reviewed at any time, you should contact us if you want to discuss your situation. Similarly, the home may request a review if they feel your needs have changed.  

If you have to go into hospital then your room will be paid for by Social Services for the first 6 weeks. The Social Services contribution will then drop to 80% for the next 4 weeks. After this time it may be necessary to give up the room but this is always dependent on your circumstances. If your health deteriorates permanently then it may be necessary for you to move somewhere else where your needs can be met.  

In some cases a resident may find that they become more independent and may wish to consider returning to live in the community. We can re-assess needs and arrange appropriate help and support.  

What should I do if I am not satisfied with the care I am receiving ?  

Every home must have a complaints procedure which sets out what you should do if you have a problem with the home or a member of staff, you should be told about this when you go to live in the home.  

If it is not possible to resolve a problem directly with the home then you should contact the Social and Housing Services Complaint Procedure Manager  on 01225 477931  who will give you details of the department's complaints procedure.  

You can also raise concerns with the authority responsible for registration and inspection.  This is now the Commission for Social Care Inspection.  

The local office of the Commission for Social Care Inspection is:  

Commission  for Social Care Inspection,  
Avon Area Office 
300 Aztec West 
Almondsbury 
Bristol  BS32 4RG     

Telephone 01454 454010.  

Every home should have a phone which residents can use in privacy to contact relatives or Social Services.  

Making the move  

When you have decided on a care home, there will be arrangements to be made about your old home and your belongings. Most homes encourage you to bring some small items of furniture, photographs, ornaments, a radio etc. It is a good idea if you or the person helping you can label clothing and aids (such as a walking stick or frame). You will need to tell people of your new address.  

Legal and Financial Advice  

Your personal finances remain your responsibility but you can ask someone you trust to manage your affairs for you. If you require advice about Appointeeship (somebody to draw your pension) then you should contact the Department of Work and Pensions. If you have nobody to draw your benefits then we can act as an appointee on your behalf. If your affairs are more complicated you may want to consider drawing up an Enduring Power of Attorney for which you will need to consult a solicitor. We can, in certain circumstance, deal with more complicated financial situations if you have no one else to assist you. Your social worker can put you in touch with the Social Services Receivership officer who will be happy to give you advice about this.

You should also think about making a Will if you have not already done so.  

Insurance  

Homes will have a general contents cover insurance but this is unlikely to cover personal high value items such as jewellery. You are advised to satisfy yourself that you have adequate insurance cover.

YOUR SOCIAL WORKER IS .............………...........

ADDRESS…………………………………................

..................................................................................

TEL. No ........................................………...................