Support is also available to those who care for someone who falls within one of the above categories.
Priority has to be given to people most at risk, particularly people who live alone and are vulnerable, and people who could not cope without support from others including their regular carers.
Who provides Social Care?
Many people and organisations play a part:
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Individuals, particularly neighbours, friends and relatives;
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Public organisations, such as Cheshire County Council, the Health Services and District/ Borough Council Housing Departments;
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Housing Associations and independent sector providers.
Social Care encourages all these different people and organisations to work together to provide the essential support the people and their carers need.
What Social Care Services are available?
Firstly, it is necessary to decide what sort of needs exists and then look at how these needs can best be met. Local service solutions are always explored first. The main services which individual's access are either arranged by the local authority via a Care Manager or are arranged by the individual via a Care Manager. They may also be arranged by the individual via a Direct Payment. These will include:
Services for people in their own homes:
Contact the community nurse or health visitor to support you with medical and nursing needs
Services for people outside their own homes:
Read more about the County's Fair Access to Care policy.
You may be assessed as needing Community Care Services to help you live independently in your own home but prefer to arrange these for yourself. Support is available to you to make such arrangements.
How can I find out what Community Care Services are available?
Get in touch with your local Access Team for further information on Social Care Services.
Information is also available from Cheshire County Council Information Points in Libraries, from Health Service points - e.g. your doctor's surgery, hospitals or health centres. It can also be obtained at the District Council Housing Department offices and local disability groups.
What happens next?
Some people will need straightforward information and advice, or practical services. These will be provided as quickly as possible.
Other people may need more support. To decide what you need, someone from Social Services, usually a Social Worker or an Occupational Therapist carries out an assessment of your circumstances. If your needs are mainly to do with your health, this assessment will be undertaken by your doctor or another health professional such as a community nurse. On some occasions your needs will be assessed jointly by a health worker and social worker and possibly housing and education because you may need help from more than one organisation.
An assessment involves a discussion and agreement about your social, health care and housing needs. You may choose or need to have a friend, relative or advocate with you.
Will I have to pay for Community Care Services?
Except in an emergency we will tell you the cost of services before you get them.
Charges for services vary:
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Some services are free – health services, advice and information, and visits by Social Services’ social workers for example;
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For others, people pay on a sliding scale according to their means, for instance care in a residential or nursing home, day care, home care.
Is my choice of services limited?
There are thresholds applied to the costs of support to individuals. This may vary depending on the immediate needs of each person. However, you will have as much choice as possible about the kind of services and who provides them, within this amount.
You and your family might decide to choose care that is more expensive than Cheshire County Council, Social Services can pay, and you may decide to commit the difference. There is a mechanism for this to happen.
What if I am unhappy about the arrangements?
You can ask the person who carried out the assessment or their manager to reconsider it. Please ask who the manager is if you do not know already. Alternatively, you can contact your local Access Team and ask for information about making a complaint, comment or appeal.
If you are still unhappy, you can make a formal written complaint. If the concern is about Cheshire County Council, Social Services please read our complaints procedure.
Community Care Standards
The Community Care Standards sets out performance standards that users of community care services can expect.
When you first contact the Department, or ask for a full assessment, a response will be given depending on the urgency of the situation. For example, the most urgent situations will receive a response within one working day:
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Treat everyone fairly;
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Treat each person as an individual;
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Pay attention to your needs and the needs of anyone who cares for you;
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Respect your privacy and confidence - the only exceptions being in situations where there is an overriding need to protect you from harm;
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Make it easy for you to make a complaint if you are not happy with what we have done or not done.
Equality and Diversity Action Plan
View the current Equality and Diversity Action Diversity Plan (Updated September 2008)
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