Who can give me help and advise on my situation?
A Social Worker or an Occupational Therapist can discuss your situation with you and assess your needs. These are highly trained professionals who are skilled in identifying the physical, psychological, practical, and social needs of people. They can then work with you and your carers to find ways of reducing your problems and meeting your needs.
If you think you need someone to help you in dealing with us, you can appoint an advocate.
An advocate is someone who can support or represent you when dealing with everyday problems or in times of crisis. They can offer you support and information on how you can access your rights. They act on your behalf if you don’t have the confidence to act for yourself.
Advocacy in Cheshire for people with learning disabilities
A Citizen Advocate can help you and act on your behalf, especially when you need to deal with official matters or big organisations. Mencap are setting up self-advocacy groups in Cheshire to help people with learning disabilities to speak up for themselves but there are Citizen Advocacy organisations in Cheshire:
What services do Cheshire County Council Social Services provide?
Information and advice
We can tell you about the help available from Cheshire Social Services, and can put you in touch with other organisations that may be able to help you. To get information and advice from Cheshire Social Services contact your local Social Services Access Team.
Day Services
Day Services are provided for people who need support during the day.
Supported Living
Skilled staff provide support to adults with learning disabilities to help them live in accommodation suited to their needs. The levels of support are tailored to individual needs and range from 24 hour waking staff to staff visiting people in their own homes for a few hours each week.
Family Based Care Services
The service provides clients, both Adult and Older People with day care, short stay or longer term care in the home of an approved Carer or within the user’s own home.
Home Care
Care in people's own homes is offered to people who require assistance, it may be with personal care such as washing or dressing, or other practical daily tasks such as help with domestic chores like cooking and cleaning, or help in managing finances.
What services are offered by other organisations?
Health Services
The Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust provides for the specialist health needs of people with learning disabilities. This includes services from specialist doctors, nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and physiotherapists. The general health needs of people with learning disabilities are met by family doctors and general hospitals, in the same way as for anyone else.
Accommodation
We work closely with District Housing Departments and other housing providers in Cheshire to try to ensure that people with learning disabilities get accommodation that is right for them. For more information contact your local Social Services Access Team.
Help and advice about money matters
Most financial benefits and allowances are available from The Department of Work and Pensions who can give advice on benefits. Citizens Advice Bureaux also provide advice on money matters.
Private Nursing and Care Agencies
For a fee, private care and nursing agencies will provide skilled carers or qualified nurses to individuals requiring nursing or care either at home, or in supported living environments. The care may be for a 24 hour period, for short or long term illnesses or for holiday relief. Names of agencies can be obtained from Yellow Pages and Cheshire County Council Information Points on 0845 11 333 11.
Social groups, sports, and other events for people with learning disabilities
There are different opportunities in different parts of Cheshire. We may be able to advise on what is locally available in your area, contact your local Social Services Access Team.
Abuse
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The Ann Craft Trust is a UK organisation protecting people with Learning Disabilities from abuse.
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Voice UK are a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities who have experienced crime or abuse.
Government Services - DirectGov - external website offering links to information about Government service
How can I get help from Social Services?
Contact your local Social Services Access Team and tell them about your needs. If the Access Team thinks that Social Services may be able to help you they will then put you in touch with someone, probably a Social Worker, who will assess your needs and work with you to deal with these. They will be able to discuss the help available, and link you with services and resources to help you. Your carers may be entitled to an assessment of their own needs too.
Social Services provides a broad range of services for people with learning disabilities, but you may not be eligible for all of these because we have to give priority to those who have the greatest needs. However, if possible, we will offer you some choices and will help you to choose what is best for you. We work closely with Health Services, and with other public, private, and voluntary agencies, and may suggest involving other agencies to ensure that your needs are met.
We will need to keep some records of our contacts with you, but these will be confidential between you and Social Services. You have a legal right to see records kept about you.
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