The aims of the Adult Care and Commissioning Services are:
- To promote independence, enable people to live in their own
homes where possible and to continue, or return to, employment
- To protect vulnerable adults, in partnership with other
agencies
- To seek to continually raise standards through improving the
consistency and quality of assessments and through developing
integrated, innovative and responsible community based
services.
- Through our Commissioning Service, we aim to ensure a wide
range of choice for service users and carers and to ensure the best
use of funds available.
What do we do?
We provide an assessment service for people living at home
and for hospital inpatients over the age of 18.
Following an assessment we may provide a range of services for
those who are eligible. Some services are provided by our own
staff and others are commissioned from private and independent
providers, for example private home care agencies and residential
homes.
After a service is provided, we monitor and review the services
at regular intervals to make sure the care plan is going
well. If someone's needs change, they can contact us for a
reassessment.
How do adults get help from Social Services?
When you contact us, you will talk first to a trained Duty
Officer who will ask about the problems you are having.
If we cannot help, we may be able to suggest other ways of
getting the help you need.
If we can help, you will be given an appointment to meet a
member of professional staff for a detailed assessment.
Adults receive assessments under the Community Care Act 1990
in order to determine whether they may be eligible for
services. Some services are chargeable, so there may be a
financial assessment as well.
The word assessment can sound offputting – it really means a
conversation with a professional worker about how you are managing
and what help you might need to enable you to live safely and
independently. You will have ample opportunity to tell us about
your needs and wishes. People who need help with
communication will receive assistance. We may need to ask
other professionals such as your doctor, or a community nurse, to
contribute to the discussion so that we have a full and
accurate picture of your situation. Often, adults will have a
relative or friend who helps look after them – a carer.
During assessments, we seek the carer’s views and look at their
needs as well. Carers who provide regular and substantial
care are also entitled to a separate assessment of their own
needs. For more information, see our information sheets
'A
handy guide to Community Care' and 'Looking after someone
else – information for carers'
What Happens after the Assessment?
We look at the information we have collected about your needs
and decide if you are eligible for services. We operate a set
of
eligibility criteria which are designed in accordance with
government guidelines called Fair Access to Care. Sometimes
we can tell you immediately after your assessment what services can
be provided, and sometimes we may have to consider it in more
detail. In any case there should be no undue delay in setting
up the services you need. We put together a Care Plan
which describes all the services that you require and who will
provide them. You will be provided with a copy of your
Assessment and Careplan.
After your services have started we will review them with you at
the end of a short period of 4 -6 weeks to ensure they are working
well and are appropriate to your needs. We will then review
your careplan at regular intervals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I contact Social Services?
Adults, or the people who look after them, can contact us to
request an assessment or just for advice and information by
telephone, letter, in person or by email. For further
details, see '
How to Contact Social & Housing Services
In an emergency, you can contact the Emergency Duty
Team on 01454 615165
As well as assessments, can I just ask for advice?
We also give advice about all aspects of help for disabled and
older frail people, and can refer you to specialist services.
My next review is in a years time, what if things change in the
meantime?
If you needs change at any time we will review your needs and
careplan. Contact the Adult Duty Desk on 01225
477000.
I am concerned about an adult I know, can I talk to Social
Services?
Generally we need the consent of the person themselves, but if
you are concerned that someone may be suffering from abuse or
neglect, or is seriously neglecting themselves, you can contact us
confidentially. For more information see Vulnerable
Adults.
My relative has been taken into hospital and I’m concerned how
she will manage when she comes out.
We have a Hospital
Social Work team based at the Royal United Hospital which
assesses hospital patients who are referred prior to
discharge. They work closely with hospital staff to ensure a
safe discharge and arrange services to help people at home.
I have substantial savings, am I entitled to ask for help?
People are entitled to an assessment on the basis of need
irrespective of their financial situation, as well as advice and
help to arrange services if they cannot do this themselves and have
no else to help. However, there are financial criteria on the
provision of services like home care. Your social worker will be
able to give you further information about any charges.
