Assessments and Fair Access to Care Services

Elspeth Bridges

Delivering Independence Service Redesign Manager

DH policy to ensure practitioners make fair and consistent decisions for adults who need help to achieve their desired outcomes

The policy ensures that:There is a single eligibility decisionPractitioners are supported to decide whether a person’s need

are eligible for help or not

A decision can be made regardless ofAgeNature of disabilityWhere in the country the person lives over

Background

In applying FACS processes, practitioners should determine what prevents the individual from achieving their desired outcome and what help (needs) they may have to overcome these. It is the impact on the presenting needs upon the person that determines their eligibility.

This set national eligibility bandings for adults using or seeking care services

Eligible needs must be assessed prior to financial assessmentLocal Authorities have to make a statement about their level

of eligibility for social care servicesThe requirement to provide an immediate response in

emergencies and crisis, followed by a fuller assessment

Background

What has changed in Somerset

• There are 4 levels of FACS Low, Moderate, Substantial and Critical. In 2003 when FACS came in Somerset set its level at Moderate and above

• In 2010 following a wide consultation Somerset moved it banding level up to Substantial and Critical

Substantial

Band of FACS that supports the allocation of social care resources. Put simply, unless the agreed

outcomes are met there will be a very rapid (within six weeks) escalation in the personal

safety, health and wellbeing of the individual or the unpaid carer

What do the new levels cover?

Critical

Put simply -Unless the agreed outcomes for the individual are met there is likely to be almost immediate threat to safety, health, and well- being of the individual or the unpaid carer

What do the new levels cover?

How will this be applied in Somerset?

• Somerset will offer emergency services to help people in a crisis, once the crisis is resolved we would carry out a single assessment to determine if services are needed on a longer term basis. At this point we would carry out an eligibility assessment against FACS. If the person’s needs can be supported under FACS we will carry out a financial assessment and provide services. If not we will support the person to find alternative community services to assist them.

• Under FACS the carer’s input is taken into account but if they are under strain they can request an assessment in their own right

Prevention services- what this means for Service Users in Somerset

• The Government under Putting People First stated that authorities should provide preventative services and that people should be able to access these irrespective of the FACS criteria

• Somerset has worked in partnership with NHS Somerset and Somerset partnership Foundation Trust to develop Reablement services for Somerset

• New assessment forms that are personalised and outcome focused call Understanding You have been developed to support personalisation

What this means for Service Users in Somerset

• Service users can request an assessment and they will be guided by Somerset Direct to services- at present Reablement is being rolled out across Somerset in Taunton and South Somerset therefore is not yet in the Mendip, and Sedgemoor , West Somerset areas

• We are developing other community services to support people – Home Improvement Agency, Integrated Community Support Services and other 3rd sector organisations to help people who are not FACS eligible

When does FACS apply ?• It is only after a period of up to 6 weeks free Reablement

service ( known as Independent Living Teams) that FACS is applied. The ILT will develop with the person a “personal support plan”.

• If a Service User needs a long term service and is FACS eligible then they will be offered an Indicative Personal Budget.

• A Personal Budget is the amount of money that they need to help them achieve their outcomes identified on a support plan.

• The person could chose either a “managed account” where we hold the money for them and organise their support or a Direct Payment ( the only legal way a Local Authority can pass money directly to a service user)

What happens if they are not FACS eligible?

• When the person has had a service through the Independent Living Teams and still needs further support the team will develop a support plan.

• They may continue to offer therapeutic services – Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy/ Falls and Balance and Safety courses if required

or other community services- voluntary/community organisations

or assist the person to purchase care privately

Any Questions?