Who can get help from the council?
‘Care and support’ is the term used to describe the help some adults need to live as well as possible with any illness or disability they may have. It can include help with things like getting out of bed, washing, dressing, getting to work, cooking meals, eating, seeing friends, caring for families and being part of the community.
It might also include emotional support at a time of difficulty and stress or helping people who are caring for an adult family member.
Care and support includes the help given by family and friends, as well as any provided by the council or other organisations.
How does it work?
The council aims to help you in the following ways:
- Helping you stay independent as long as possible.
- Giving you information, advice and guidance.
- Care and Support as described above.
This headings below describe the different steps required to get care and support from the council.
You will have an assessment after which the council uses national guidance called eligibility criteria to decide if you have eligible needs.
If you have ineligible needs, we will give you information, advice and guidance.
If you have eligible needs we will:
- Agree an Indicative Budget. This is the maximum amount of money the council believes is required to meet your eligible care needs.
We will then create a care and support plan with you. This will identify if we:
- Give you money to arrange your own support, known as a Direct Payment.
- Or arrange support and services with you.
We will arrange services to meet your eligible needs described in your care and support plan. We will charge you if you are able to pay towards the costs.
We will review your needs and services.
If you are a carer the four stages are exactly the same but tailored to your needs as a carer. The council does not currently charge for services delivered to carers. If you would like to read more about carer support click here.
Last reviewed: 12/06/2019
