Assessment and careplans
What are assessments?
If you ask us for help, we need to talk to you and your carer, if you have one, about your needs and work out what services we can offer. This is called an assessment.
If a family member or friend looks after you for more than 20 hours of unpaid care a week, we will also talk to them about support they need to continue to care for you
With your permission, information we collect about you may be shared with other organisations such as the Health Service. This is called a single assessment process. It saves you having to answer the same questions over again from different organisations.
If we believe someone is in danger we may have to tell others, such as the police or other professional workers who may be able to protect them.
What will happen?
A social worker will discuss your needs with you. If someone cares for you, they should also be present. You can have someone else with you such as a family member, friend or advocate. If English is not your first language, we can arrange for an interpreter if required.
We want to see and hear how you and your carer are coping with daily life, your personal care, safety and social activities.
We will put all this information into an assessment report for you and your carer.
How long will the assessment take?
It varies. We aim to complete assessments within 28 days, but it may be quicker. In an emergency we aim to start the assessment and provide assistance within 24 hours.
If you are in hospital, a social worker will discuss the help you and your carer will need when you leave.
What happens next?
Once the assessment has been completed we will use the assessment report to decide whether you need our support and if so what this should be.We will also see if there are other organisations that may be able to help. T
his information will be in your care plan.
Your social worker will also give you a leaflet "Fair access to care"![(PDF [320Kb] opens in new window)](/images/PDF.gif)
which explains how we use government guidelines to decide how we can help.
Your Care Plan
If you are eligible for help, we will arrange for the services that meet your needs and give you a copy of your care plan.This will be discussed with you The care plan is a written document that sets out your needs and:
- the services you will get
- the names of the organisations which will provide the services
- when and how often you will get the services
- the names and telephone numbers of the team responsible for making sure that you get the services
- the date when the services will start
- the date when the services will be reviewed, to check whether your needs are being met or whether they have changed
- details of care needs which cannot be met and the reasons why they cannot be met; and
- what to do if you are not happy with the service.
We will also advise your carer about support services they can access both from the council and from other organisations.
If you wish you could have money from the council to purchase the care you need yourself - ask your social worker about Direct Payments.
When will the services start?
We aim to provide the services in your care plan within 28 days of your assessment. This may vary depending on how urgent your situation is.
What if my situation changes?
We will look again at your support package to make sure it is meeting your needs.We may be able to increase help if you are having more problems or reduce it if things have improved for you.
The first review will be within four weeks and then at least every 12 months.
Will I be charged for an assessment?
No - the assessment is free.
Will I be charged for the services I receive?
You may be charged for some services.After your assessment, a member of the Fairer Charging Team will visit you and work out how much you have to pay.
The amount you have to pay will be based on a means test.They will also carry out a benefit check to ensure that you are receiving all the benefits to which you are entitled.
Further Information
Our fully trained customer advisers and social workers offer a confidential service24 hours a day, 7 days a week call Careline on 0151 233 3800, Minicom 0151 225 2500 or email wecanhelp@liverpool.gov.uk