Care Management

Care Management is for people who would require assistance with personal care through disability, frailty, mental ill health or because they are recovering from a period of ill health or family difficulty. The service also enables carers who provide a substantial amount of support to a person to have a break from caring.

Short term and respite care is available in a wide range of local authority, private and voluntary homes across the county. A Care Manager and nurse will come to an agreement about whether you need a nursing home or residential care home. You will then be given freedom to choose the right home for you.

If your stay is three weeks or less you will pay a standard rate. If your stay exceeds three weeks you will undergo a financial assessment. If you intend to stay for up to three weeks, but during or after decide to extend your stay, a formal assessment of your needs will be undertaken, to calculate what you have to pay for the extended period.  

How an Assessment Works

If, after the initial assessment, we identify that you may be eligible for social care, we will pass your details to a care manager or social worker. They will then visit you to carry out an assessment of need.

You have the right to request an assessment if the advisory officer does not think you qualify for services. The assessment is your opportunity to discuss your support needs in confidence with one of our experienced and trained care managers or social workers.

He or she will meet with you and your partner, friend or family member, if you wish, to ask you how you manage your day to day life and what help you need to stay independent. With your permission, our staff may want to talk to your carer (if you have one) or your doctor or nurse. They may also suggest that an occupational therapist becomes involved in your assessment.

Aim of Assessment

The aim of the assessment is to: 

  • agree your needs;
  • give you information about the services that may be available, and how much they cost;
  • decide whether or not we can arrange servcies for you;
  • agree the needs of your family or carer.  

If your situation is complicated, we may have to seek specialist advice. The specialist might also need to meet you. Our staff will tell you how long this will take. You can ask for written details of your assessment.

What is an Assessment

During your assessment, we discuss with you the levels of risk you or your carer may have to cope with if we do not provide services. We want to know whether your current living or care arrangements are at risk of breaking down if you don't receive our help or support.

The first part of this process is carried out by advisory officers, usually on the telephone. This is called an initial assessment. The advisory officer will discuss your situation with you to identify whether you may be eligible for social services.

What We Take into Account in an Assessment

When we assess risk, we take into account the following: 

  • the physical health and safety of you and your carer;
  • the mental health and mental well-being of you and your carer;
  • your ability to look after yourself ie. feeding, washing, use of the toilet;
  • whether you are supported or are alone;
  • the security and/or adequacy of your current living arrangements;
  • your ability to manage your money. 
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