This page covers a range of information on social care needs assessment and the framework which covers the provision of care and support. It is designed for anyone who would like an assessment of their needs to determine if a package of support is required. This can feel like a daunting prospect for both those individuals as well as their family members and support network. This information is designed to help you navigate the assessment process with confidence and knowledge about what processes are taking place as well as what legal rights and protections you and your family member have.
Assessment
If you would like to be considered for an assessment of your needs, please contact First Contact by emailing firstcontact@angus.gov.uk
Alternatively, you can call the ACCESSLine on 03452 777 778.
If you or someone you know would like a copy of this document in another language or format, (on occasion only a summary of the document will be provided in translation), this can be arranged by emailing us on Tay.angushscp@nhs.scot or calling ACCESSLine on 03452 777 778.
A telephone translation is available on request.
First Contact is the initial point of contact for adult care services in Angus. They can provide information, advice and assistance on:
- Support for carers
- Enablement / Care at Home services
- Occupational Therapy
- Learning Disabilities support
- Mental Health
- Drug and Alcohol Team
- Day Care
- Residential Care
- Community Meals
- Community Alarm
- Social Work support
- Self-Directed support
Will I Have to Pay?
Depending on your financial circumstances, you may be asked to pay a contribution towards the cost of your package of support. This contribution allows us to ensure services are available for all who need them.
Who Decides if I Have to Pay?
A financial assessment will be carried out with you to determine how much, if anything, you will need to pay towards your services. This assessment takes account of your income and capital, and then calculates your contribution.
As part of the assessment a member of the Council’s Welfare Rights Team will ensure you are receiving all the benefits which you are entitled to.
Do I Qualify for Community Care Services?
Many people need support to enable them to continue to live independently and safely at home. In Angus, there are growing demands on care services for people of all ages with a wide range of different needs, including services to support carers.
If you, or someone you know, needs support, an assessment can be carried out by a qualified and experienced worker in line with national legislation. This is the basis on which we will work with you to decide if you are eligible for support and review, and then agree the type and level of support needed.
Due to limited resources, Angus Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) need to make sure that those in greatest need of care and support receive essential help within the funds that are available. AHSCP will therefore direct resources to those who are assessed at critical or substantial risk.
In Angus, we make sure that this is done in a fair way by having criteria for access to all Community Care services. These are known as eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria used by AHSCP is aligned to the national eligibility criteria issued by the Scottish Government.
Eligibility Criteria
Our eligibility criteria are divided into levels of risk, each of which indicates a person’s priority for support services.
Critical risk may include
- major disability and/or health problems which cause life threatening harm or danger;
- unable to manage the most vital personal care or housing support, causing harm or major risk to independence;
- where serious abuse or neglect has occurred, or is strongly suspected;
- carer has major physical/mental health difficulties which pose a life threatening risk of harm to themselves or others, caused by the impact of their role as a carer
Substantial risk may include
- a significant disability and/or health problem which causes significant risk of harm or danger;
- abuse or neglect has occurred or is strongly suspected;
- unable to manage many aspects of personal care or domestic tasks, causing a significant risk of harm or risk to independence;
- carer is unable to manage many aspects of their responsibilities
Moderate risk may include
- some health problems indicating some risk to independence and/or occasional difficulties. There is the potential to maintain health and independence with minimum support;
- unable to manage some aspects of personal care or housing support, indicating some risk to independence
- carer able to manage some aspects of their role, but a potential risk to damage to their own health has been identified
Low risk may include
- few health problems indicating low risk to independence. Potential to maintain health with minimum support;
- able to manage most basic aspects of personal and housing support, indicating little risk to independence;
- carer able to manage most aspects of their role, may have difficulty with some aspects, but with low risk to their health or health of the person they are caring for
Our limited resources are targeted to those people described as being at Critical or Substantial risk. People in these categories are in the greatest need of support to allow them to maintain their independence safely. For some people with very complex needs there may be a limit to the amount of care and support that can be provided in the community. The maximum amount will be determined by the equivalent cost of care that could be provided in a care home that could meet the person’s needs. People whose needs fall into the Moderate risk category may receive support services from voluntary sector organisations and Low risk group may not automatically qualify for services. However, they will receive an assessment of their needs and expert advice on suitable alternatives.
