Social Services
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The terms ‘Local Authority’
and ‘Social Services’ apply to England and Wales,
and are referred to in the following information. However, these
terms should be read as ‘Local Health and Social Services
Trust’ for Northern Ireland and ‘Social Work Department’
for Scotland.
Assessments
Social Service Departments are part of each
Local Authority throughout the United Kingdom. Their responsibilities
include:
- Assessing individuals for Community Care Services. These
services include home help/care, day care, respite,
provision of aids and assistive
devices, meals-on-wheels and care
homes
- Arranging any care services an individual may be eligible
for
- Providing financial support for people who have been assessed
as eligible for long-term care and who meet the Local Authority’s
financial criteria
A care needs assessment will be carried out
in order to establish what help and support is needed. Social
Service Departments are responsible for this assessment,
but they may need to involve other organisations, if appropriate.
There are no national rules to state how quickly
a Local Authority assessment must be carried out, although
some Local Authorities will set their own standards. Each
Local Authority will have its own assessment procedures.
 The
Local Authority must carry out an assessment if:
- A person appears to the Local Authority to be in need
of a community care service
- A person is disabled
- A person is looking after someone else – relative,
friend or neighbour
Once assessed, the Local Authority should make
the older person's health needs known to their GP and/or any
other member of the primary care team involved, for example,
a district nurse.
An older person's financial situation should
have no bearing on whether the Local Authority carries out
an assessment or not.
An assessment may take place in an individual’s
own home, within a hospital or in another care setting, such
as a care home. Where possible, individuals should take an
active role in their assessment and should inform the assessor
of all their needs. An older person's emotional and psychological
needs should be taken into account as well as their physical
needs.
Carers can also ask for their own care needs
to be assessed.
If an older person’s assessed needs meet
the Local Authority eligibility criteria, the Local Authority
Social Services Department has a duty to meet these needs
as soon as possible.
Click
Here to find out more about our recommended Independent
Care Adviser.
Arranging
and Financing Care Services
When the Local Authority provides or arranges
care services the older person may have to contribute towards
the cost. The assessment carried out includes a financial
assessment to establish how much an individual should contribute.
If the older person has funds in excess of £23,250
in England and Northern Ireland, £24,000 in Wales and
£26,500 in Scotland, they will generally not be entitled
to assistance with funding care.
If care at home is appropriate, a home care
package will be arranged and a care plan drawn up. The care
plan highlights the level of care required, the services being
provided, any charges to be incurred by the older person and
a review date. The older person receiving the care package
or their representative should be given a copy of their care
plan.
The Local Authority may provide the services
itself or contract with private or voluntary organisations
to provide care on its behalf.
If a care home environment is required, the
Local Authority will inform the individual how much it will
pay and then provide information of care homes in the area
within that price range. Even if the Local Authority funds
a care home placement, the older person is still entitled
to a choice of homes.
An individual will be assigned a Care Manager,
who will be responsible for overseeing the care provided and
regularly review the appropriateness of the care package in
place.
The Local Authority is also able to make direct
payments to individuals, so they can buy their own care services
once they have been assessed as needing help.
If an older person refuses the community care
services being offered, the Local Authority generally has
no power to insist the care be received.
If the Local Authority decides an individual’s
needs do not meet its criteria, it should:
- Put its reasons in writing to the older person concerned
- Advise that the older person can approach the Local Authority
again if circumstances change
- Give details of its complaints procedure
Click
Here to find out more about our recommended Independent
Care Adviser.
How to find
your Local Authority and Social Services
Details of Local Authority and Social Services
offices can be obtained from GPs and other health care professionals,
hospitals, council offices and local Citizens Advice Bureaux.
Contact details will also be in local telephone directories.
This information is a general guide only to
Local Authority services in the UK. The rules may vary according
to each Local Authority and individual circumstances.
Click
Here to find out more about our recommended Independent
Care Adviser.
If you require further assistance or would like to speak to
the Independent Care Adviser this site recommends please call
0800 137 669 or complete the e-mail
enquiry form.
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