Care and support

If you're on the prevention journey, you're likely to be seeking ways to maintain your independence and prevent the need for more intensive care in the future. In this situation, your immediate care needs are not urgent or severe, and the goal is to support you to stay as independent as possible for as long as possible.

We have online support to assist you organise support, equipment, telecare or local community services.

If you are a family member or friend, visit our support for family and friends page. 

You can also contact us for free advice, through the Advice and Referral Team (ART).

Contact the Advice and Referral Team

• Initial contact and support options
• Identifying immediate care needs
• Care Act assessment
• Choosing services and products
• Financial assessment
• Agreeing a support plan
• Ongoing review

Step 1: Initial contact and support options

If you feel that you're at risk or could benefit from support but don't have immediate care needs, your first point of contact will be the Advice and Referral Team. You can find their contact details below. They can provide you with information on a range of services and support options to help you remain independent. This may include reablement services, technology or equipment, or local community services, offered on the Talk Community website.

Once addressed, you may be discharged from our services if no further support is required.

If we identify that you have immediate needs, please continue to the next step.

Step 2: Identifying immediate care needs

If you or the Advice and Referral Team determine that you have immediate care needs, such as a significant risk to home safety, sudden mobility limitations, or other urgent factors, the Social Work Team may bypass a Care Act assessment. In these situations, immediate support may be provided through:

• Reablement services to help you regain independence
• Telecare or equipment to manage daily living
• Temporary care services while your situation stabilises

Once immediate needs are addressed, you may be discharged from our services if no further support is required. This allows you to regain independence and ensures that services are available to those with ongoing or escalating needs.

Step 3: Care Act assessment

If your situation stabilises or your urgent needs are addressed, a Care Act assessment will be scheduled.  

The Care Act assessment will determine your long-term care needs, eligibility for services, and support options available to you. It will also include a financial assessment to identify how much you may need to contribute towards the cost of care.

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Step 4: Choosing services and products

If the council is organising your care, we will discuss the options available with you. If you are organising your own care, we can link you in with trusted providers.

It's important to note that the products we provide, such as equipment and telecare devices, are on loan and will not be included in your financial contribution assessment. However, subscriptions will be. This means that you may still be eligible to receive these products, regardless of your financial situation or whether you qualify for a contribution towards other care services. The subscription cost can be claimed back through disability living expenses.

The focus will remain on promoting your independence and ensuring that you have access to the services and products that best meet your needs.

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Step 5: Financial assessment

A financial assessment will take place once a Care Act assessment has been completed (or if immediate needs are met). This ensures that any contribution towards your care is based on what you can afford. If you have savings or assets over £23,250, you will not be eligible for financial assistance, and you will be considered a self-funder. 

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Step 6: Agreeing a support plan

After the Care Act assessment is complete, you and the Social Work Team will work together to develop your support plan. This plan will outline:

• The type of care or support you need
• Who will provide that support
• Who will organise and pay for it

If your needs are eligible for council funding, a personal budget will be allocated to you, and you can choose to either manage the funds yourself or have the council arrange the services for you.

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Step 7: Ongoing review

As your needs change, the Social Work Team will continue to support you. If your situation worsens or you develop more immediate care needs, a Care Act assessment review may be conducted, and your support plan will be adjusted accordingly.

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