What are community care assessments?
If we think someone might need a community-care service, we have to assess them to find out:
When we carry out this assessment, we may have to share some or all of the assessment with, for example, the Health authority or Community Housing Team if we think the person has any housing or health needs. If we need to do this, we will ask their permission.
Carers look after someone else regularly on an unpaid basis. Carers can also have an assessment to see if there are any services that we could provide that would help with caring. The assessment covers various areas, including:
- health
- mobility
-
personal finances
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housing circumstances.
We will give anyone we have assessed a copy of their assessment. We will ask them to sign it to show that they agree with it. If someone doesn’t agree with their assessment, they can note disagreements on the assessment form.
The assessment will be based on what the person’s needs are, rather than on which services are available. It will also take into account the wishes of the person and their carer(s). We will then work out which services are required and choose the most cost-effective service available. If the person would prefer a more expensive service, then we will consider this, provided s/he is willing to pay the difference in cost.
Not everyone who is assessed will need a community care service. Where this is the case, we can give advice and information, if necessary.
Care planning
When people have been assessed, we usually put together a care plan, which shows:
- which services are being provided
- where the services are provided (for example, at home, in a day centre etc)
- who’s delivering the service (for example, domiciliary care worker, occupational therapist etc)
- when the care plan is to be reviewed
- the financial assessment Information on the service costs and charges will be given separately.
Care management
Care plans are tailored to each person’s individual needs, and can be straightforward or very complex. When someone has complex needs, a number of services and agencies might be involved their care, or they might have a condition that is not stable. Someone with complex needs may need care management.
When we manage someone’s care, we negotiate, co-ordinate, monitor and review their individually tailored package of care so that the services provided change with the person’s changing needs.
What happens if when someone disagrees with their assessment?
If there is anything in your assessment that you don't agree with, or if you have problems with a service, get in touch with your social worker or their manager and let them know.
Or you can get a Feedback form from your local council office. This tells you about the council's complaints procedures. It includes a form where you can make your comments. Post the form to the council. (You don’t have to pay for stamps – just use the Freepost address on the leaflet.) Or, you can phone a Complaints Officer to chat things through on 01620 827497.
You can also take your complaint to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, although it is usually better to use the Council's complaints procedure first. You should contact the Ombudsman within 12 months of the date that you first noticed the problem you are complaining about. In special circumstances, the Ombudsman may be prepared to deal with matters that have gone on longer than 12 months. Please write to: Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, 4 Melville Street, Edinburgh EH3 7NS. Tel: 0870 011 5378 Fax: 0870 011 5379 Text: 0790 049 4372 e-mail: enquiries@scottishombudsman.org.uk
If you want to make a complaint about a registered service, you can also contact the Care Commission, Compass House, 11 Riverside Drive, Dundee
DD1 4NY. Tel: 01382 207100. Fax: 01382 207289. Lo-call: 0845 6030890
Click here to go to Community Care home page
Click here to go to information about Direct Payments
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