Assessing your independence

Introduction

Doncaster Council is responsible for arranging Community (Social) Care Services for people living in their own home or for those who require residential or nursing home care. Doncaster Council has a duty to assess people in need and this now focuses on how circumstances affect independence. Our aim is to help people live as independently as possible with as little intrusion into their lives as possible.

Assessing the risk to your independence

In order to obtain Community Care Services (including residential or nursing home care) a member of staff will discuss with you and anyone who cares for you, what your circumstances are, and complete an assessment of risk to your independence. This assessment follows several stages which are explained below. 

Contacting Us

The process, known as the Contact Assessment Process, begins when the Adult Contact Team is contacted by: 

• You yourself
• A relative or friend who cares for you
• Your Doctor, Health Visitor or other professional concerned with your care. 
• Any other person on your behalf and with your consent.                  

The Adult Contact Team offers a service for adults, their carers or relatives and will provide information and access to Social Services. It is mainly a telephone service, but people can still see staff by appointment at offices in Mexborough, Bentley and Thorne. Use the contact details at the top of the page.

To see staff without an appointment visit the Council House in Doncaster between 9.30am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday, or use the details at the top of the page to contact the team. A courtesy phone is available at Thorne, Mexborough and Bentley Offices for those people who do not have a telephone.

What will we need to know?

You or the person who contacts us for you will be asked: 

• About your current circumstances 
• How urgent your situation is 
• Whether you are at risk in any way                  

It may be that we are able to deal with your problems there and then. If we cannot deal with your situation straight away we will pass the information onto the Team Manager responsible for the area where you live who will

• Decide how urgent your Contact Assessment is depending on the information given 
• Place it in order of priority 
• Give the Contact Assessment to a member of their staff who will visit you to carry out a Detailed Assessment.                 

The information about you will be treated as confidential and only be used to assess your needs and provide care: if it is decided that this is needed. We will not share your information with anyone else without your permission unless you are at risk of harm or a crime has been committed. 

How quickly will a Detailed Assessment happen?

This will depend on your individual circumstances. 

• For those people who have intensive personal, social and health care needs and are thought to be at immediate risk or whose situation is likely to deteriorate quickly then assessment will start between 1 and 7 days.
• In less urgent situations where people need help with some personal, social and health care needs and where services are needed to prevent the situation deteriorating then assessment will start within 28 days.
• In all other cases our aim is to start the detailed assessment process within 3 months  

What will happen when I am visited about my Detailed Assessment?

The person who visits you is known as your Key Worker who will: 

• Discuss with you and your carer your current situation and problems 
• Find out how your circumstances affect your independence 
• Contact other people and organisations involved in your care, with your agreement for example your Doctor, Health Visitor or District Nurse.                 

Your Key Worker will also look at how your circumstances effect your independence in the following areas: 

• Your health and safety. Have you developed a serious health problem, or is your home unsafe? 
• Are you able to manage essential daily tasks, including things like being able to wash and dress yourself, getting something to eat, or getting in and out of bed? 
• Are you able to decide how you want to live your life which may be difficult for you if have a physical, emotional or mental health problem, a risk of abuse from someone else, or a risk that you may harm yourself?
• Do your circumstances and health limit your ability to play an active part in your family life, or keep up with your work, education or community activities.

Once your Key Worker has finished the Detailed Assessment, and if you meet the eligibility criteria, we will organise the appropriate help. 

What are the Eligibility Criteria?

The Eligibility Criteria set out the type of circumstances that would entitle people to help. These have been decided by the Government and are listed in guidance called Fair Access to Care. You can view this guidance by downloading the Fact Sheet below.

The four criteria bands proposed by the Department Of Health are intended to describe the seriousness of the risks to independence or other consequences if needs are not met. 

If someone is not eligible for help because they don’t meet the eligibility rules they will be offered support in the form of information, advice and referral to another agency.

The Care Plan

When the detailed assessment is complete and if you meet the eligibility criteria the Key Worker will: 

• Discuss with you what help you need to keep you as independent as possible 
• Write down what has been agreed in a Care Plan                  

You will be given a copy of the Care Plan which will show you how and when you will receive the help identified in your Detailed Assessment. 

Will my Care Plan change?

We want your Care Plan to be agreed as soon as possible, so extra help may be agreed and included later. Your Care Plan will be reviewed from time to time. How often this happens will depend on: 

• Your current circumstances 
• Any changes to your circumstances                  

The Team Manager will decide when and how often a review will take place. 

How will I receive help or services?

The Council is responsible for arranging help or services for you if you meet the eligibility criteria and if you are not already receiving help. Other services may be provided by another organisation or person involved in your care e.g. Doctor, Health Visitor or Voluntary Organisation. 

Do I have to pay for help and Services?

Some services may be provided free of charge, but you may have to pay for others. You may have to pay for Residential and Nursing Care, Home Care and Day Care according to your financial situation. 

You will be helped to complete a financial assessment form. The exact amount you will have to pay will take some time to calculate, however you will be given a general idea of your contribution from the beginning. 

What if I am not satisfied with the service?

If you are unhappy with the assessment, service or any other aspect you should contact your Key Worker or Team Manager.

What if I am unhappy with the response from the Key Worker or Team Manager?

Doncaster Council has a comments and complaints procedure in operation. Use this link for further details.