Eligibility criteria for getting help from adults social services
The national eligibility criteria helps us decide whether we need to prepare a care plan for you, or whether this is something you can do for yourself.
So that we can apply this criteria we need to know what you want to achieve from your contact with us. We will ask you questions such as “what matters to you?” “What is important at the moment?” and “what would you like to achieve?”
Once we know more about your circustances we will begin to work out what action needs to be taken and who is the best person to do it. We do this with your help to make sure you feel that your voice is heard.
We will ask you questions such as:
- Are you able to achieve your outcome yourself? Can we offer you some information and advice that would help you do this?
- Do you have any family or friends that could help you?
- Is there something in your local area that would help?
- Do you have the means to be able to privately purchase the support you feel you need?
If you can answer yes to these questions, then it is likely you would not meet the eligibility criteria and will not need a further assessment from us.
If after reading the above criteria you think you meet our eligibility criteria for care and support, please contact us and we will discuss with you what needs to happen next.
If you are not eligible for our services, we will still provide you with information and advice, signposting you to other sources of help for arranging your own care.
If you think Adult Social Services can help support you, a family member or friend please get in touch. You can telephone us free on 0808 100 2500.
If you have immediate concerns around the safety of yourself or someone else then the eligibility criteria may not apply.
The assessment
We will discuss with you what outcomes you wish to achieve, your care and support needs, how these can be met and if you are eligible for help from Social Services. This discussion is known as an assessment.
As part of this process, as a minimum you will be given information and signposting to other support and services. However, if we agree that you meet the eligibility criteria, we will help you to meet your care and support needs and work with you to think about what support you need and how this is best achieved.
Should you need ongoing support, it is likely that arrangements for your care will be written into a care and support plan. This is called a care and treatment plan in mental health.
The care and support plan is simply a document to help you know what everyone is doing, and when they are doing it and you will be given a copy.
We will monitor and review your care and support plan to make sure the support you are receiving is right for you.
If we feel your needs would be better met with other services, we will still offer you support, information and advice to help you find and arrange your own care.
If we provide care and support services for you, we will ask you to make a financial contribution towards the cost of your services . Staff will undertake a financial assessment to determine how much you can afford to pay.