Adult Social care can provide care services to people within their home.

The aim of these services is to support older people and adults with disabilities to live at home as independently as possible. This includes supporting Carers by giving them a break from their caring role.

Care services provided could include support and assistance with:

• Personal care (such as washing or dressing)
• Mobility in the home such as getting to and using the toilet
• Managing daily living activities whilst your Carer has a break

Care Services can be provided on a short-term basis to help you regain your independence, or longer-term to ensure that you continue to manage as independently and safely as possible.

How can I access care services?

To decide whether you are eligible for community care services, such as Care Services in your own home, you will need to have a Community Care Assessment.

The assessment is an opportunity to discuss your circumstances and needs and look at possible solutions or support options.

In Swindon, Adult Social care and Health Services work closely together. Your initial assessment may therefore be completed by either a Social Care or Health Practitioner, such as a Social Worker, Occupational Therapist or District Nurse.

Adult Social care have to provide services to people in the greatest need. In order to decide if you are able to receive such help we have an eligibility criteria. This ensures that we are providing services fairly to all of the public.

For the circumstances in which Adult Social Care are not able to provide services, you will be assisted with obtaining alternative sources of help.

How are the care services oganised?

If Adult Social Care agree to provide Care Services, these will be planned with you and confirmed by Adult Social Care in a written Care Plan.

There are two main approaches to organising care services:

• Adult Social Care can completely arrange the Care Services for you; or

• You can receive Direct Payments, which allows you to have money paid directly to you to organise your own care services within the agreed plan

After your Care Services have started Adult Social Care will contact you to review whether you are happy with the service and check if it is still appropriate for your needs.

Will there be a charge?

You may be required to make a contribution to the cost of your care. Any charges are based on Swindon Adult Social Care charging policy.

A financial assessment will be completed with you.

Useful contacts

For further information or to request a Community Care Assessment please contact:

Care Line

Tel: Freephone 0800 085 66 66

For older people, adults with physical disabilities, and their Carers.

(See also: Care Line.)

The Community Team for People with a Learning Disability

Tel: 01793 466712

The Mental Health Team for Adults Under 65 years of age

Tel: 01793 437562

Department of Old Age Psychiatry for Adults Over 65 years of age

Tel: 01793 327800

Your views

We would welcome your comments. If you would like to give us your thoughts and ideas about this information or other Adult Social Care publication please contact:

Customer Liaison Officer
Tel: 01793 463496
E-mail: yourcommentscount@swindon.gov.uk

Obtaining the Printed Leaflet

The information contained in this web page is also available in a printed leaflet. If you would like copies of this leaflet, or the same information in another format, please contact:

Customer Services
Tel: 01793 445500

The leaflet is also available as a downloadable pdf document:

Care in Your Own Home