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Carers Direct Payments Comments and Complaints Cambridgeshire Direct Other Care Providers

Social care services in Cambridgeshire are provided by the County Council and National Health Service, working in partnership. A range of social and community care services is available for people who are at risk or who have high levels of need. These include home care, day services, community meals and both short-term and long-term residential care. Occupational Therapy services help people with permanent and substantial disabilities to become as safe and independent as possible in their daily activities. A range of equipment can also be provided for people who have hearing or sight problems. Support can also be provided for carers, for example, by arranging short breaks.

Cambridgeshire County Council (general enquiries) tel. 0845 045 5201

Assessments and Eligibility Criteria

Where a person, or their carer, feels they need help with their social care needs then they should first contact the Cambridgeshire Direct contact centre, who will take details and, if appropriate, refer the person to the appropriate social care team. Someone from the team will then carry out an ‘assessment’ to gather information about the person’s situation and care needs. The kinds of needs identified will determine whether or not services can be offered. Eligibility criteria (tests) are applied to decide what level of care can be offered. At the end of an assessment an agreement is reached with the person defining exactly what their social care needs are. These needs fall into five basic categories: physical safety, physical disability, mental health, loss of independent living skills and social needs. The assessor then decides the person’s level of need on a six-point scale from low to very high risk. To receive services a person must have needs at level four (major concerns) or above in at least one of the five basic categories. If the assessed needs fall at level three or below the person is offered advice and information about alternative sources of help. You are entitled to receive a copy of your assessment and to have any comments on the assessment recorded.

The eligibility criteria also apply to people already receiving services. Their needs can be re-assessed by a review and care services may change as a result.

Further details about ‘eligibility criteria’ are available on request from the County Council (01223 718141) or go to www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/social/accessing/Eligibility.htm

Carers Back to Top

Carers are eligible for an assessment of their own care needs, separate from any assessment of a person they care for. This assessment should take place at the same time as the assessment of the person they care for. A carer’s assessment may increase the levels of services and support to the cared for person to enable the carer to have a break.

Care Plan

Where people do qualify for services a ‘care plan’ will be drawn up setting out the services to be provided, when and by whom. The care plan will take into account help from family and friends or support provided by other organisations. The care plan will also detail any charges which will be made for providing the services. You are entitled to receive a copy of your care plan. If you have not receive a copy of your care plan please contact your local area office or social worker.

Direct Payments Back to Top

A disabled person can now choose to organise their own care via the direct payments system. Instead of providing care the County Council will give you the money to buy the services you want. If you are already receiving services you can change to the direct payment system or receive a mixture of County Council support and Direct Payments. See www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/social/accessing/schascadirectpay.htm for more information or call 0845 045 5201 and ask for an assessment of your care needs. The County Coucil have appointed a group called the Rowan Organisation (www.therowan.org) to advise people interested in taking up Direct Payments. You can contact them on 0800 783 1755. Alternatively, speak to your Care Co-ordinator or DISH on 01480 830833.

Charters

There is a charter (‘Better Care, Higher Standards’) which details the standards of service which people can expect to receive, along with more information about the assessment and care planning processes. Copies can be obtained by ringing 01223 699221.

Comments and Complaints Back to Top

Both County Council and the Health Service are keen to receive any comments on the services that they provide. Please pass on any comments to your social worker or local area office. However, if you are not happy with your care or if you feel that the eligibility criteria has been wrongly applied to yourself or someone you care for then you have the right to make a complaint. In the first instance, please contact your social worker or care manager.

You can also seek independent advice from specialist voluntary organisations or from a solicitor. For details of agencies that can help you make a complaint see the section on Information, Advice, Advocacy & Counselling.

Cambridgeshire Direct Back to Top

If you have concerns for yourself or someone you care for then contact Cambridgeshire Direct on 0845 045 5200. It is open 8am to 8pm , Monday to Saturday. If you need emergency assistance outside these hours then contact the Emergency Duty Team on 01733 234724

The Opportunities Trust

The Opportunities Trust is a new group of organisations working together to provide activities and support for people with disabilities and impairments across Cambridgeshire. The organisations include Cambridgeshire County Council, voluntary groups, social enterprises, independent companies and community groups.

For more information, see the website at www.opportunitiestrust.org.uk

Other Care Providers Back to Top

Age Concern Home Help Service (Hunts)

Telephone: Office 01354 659726 or Info Line 01354 696650

Provides a home help service in the Huntingdon, St. Ives and St. Neots areas. The service includes domestic cleaning, shopping and collection of pensions or prescriptions. There is a one-off admin charge of £5 and then its £7.60 per hour. All staff are vetted.

Opening times Mon- Fri 9-12

Age Concern Aid-call

Aid-Call, Linhay House, Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7UP

Telephone: Freephone 0800 772266 Web: www.aidcall-alarms.co.uk

Provides a 24 hour emergency response service to anyone who feels they would benefit. At the press of a button, which can be worn as a pendent or wrist strap, the person will be connected to an operator who will inform a nominated person to give you assistance.

Careline

Oak Foundation, Brook House, Huntingdon, Cambs PE29 3QW

Telephone: 01480 428562

Provides a 24 hour emergency response service to anyone who feels they would benefit. At the press of a button, worn as a pendant, the person will be connected to an operator who will inform a nominated person to give you assistance. Different payment options are available. There is a discounted rate for people aged over 75- but only if the person qualifies.

Community Service Volunteers (CSV)

2 nd Floor, 52 Burleigh Street , Cambridge CB1 1DJ

Telephone: 01223 728460 Web: www.csv.org.uk

Provide full and part time volunteers to help disabled people live independently in their own homes. Charges are made but can be recouped from the County Council or other charitable trusts.

West Anglia Crossroads (formerly Crossroads Caring for Carers)

8 The Meadow, Meadow Lane, St. Ives, Cambs. PE27 4LG

Telephone: 0845 241 0954

Provide a trained care worker to relieve the carer from their tasks to enable them to have a break.

Available for all ages.

Help the Aged

207-221 Pentonville Rd

London N1 9UZ

Webpage: www.helptheaged.org.uk

Telephone: Office: 020 7278 1114 SeniorLine (Advice) 0808 800 6565

Trained advice workers offer free, confidential and impartial advice and information about welfare/disability benefits, community/residential care, housing options/adaptations and other issues of concern to older people.

Lifeline Community Alarm Service Peterborough City Council

Cross Keys Homes

Shrewsbury Avenue

Woodston

Peterborough

PE2 7BZ

Tel: 01733 567722 or 01733 385100 Web: www.crosskeyshomes.co.uk

An emergency and alerting service based at Peterborough . At the touch of a button it enables the caller to contact the Lifeline control centre 24 hours per day, 365 day per year. Lifeline will then summon assistance from either your nominated contacts or the emergency services. Available to anyone living within a 50 mile radius of Peterborough .

The Papworth Trust

Papworth Everard, Cambs CB23 3RG

Telephone: 01480 357200

Web: www.papworth.org.uk Email: info@papworth.org.uk

The Papworth Trust provides training, employment, housing, care and advice to people with a disability or long term health issue.

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