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How to get help from Social Services	What Social Services can offer?
Would I be eligible?	How do I find out how my local Social Services Department is performing?

 

How to get help from Social Services

If you or someone you care for is having difficulty living independently they may be entitled to help from Social Services.  All Social Services Departments offer a comprehensive range of support from Occupational Therapists and Social Workers to Residential Nursing Home Care and Day Centres.

Contact your local department to ask for an assessment of your needs or those of someone you care for;

Poole or telephone the Helpdesk on 01202 633633

Bournemouth or telephone 01202 451 451

Dorset: Contact your local office

If you prefer not to use your local Social Services Department, Help and Care provide a Support at Home Service that offers the same type of assessment privately. This will not include a financial analysis unless specifically requested by you.

 

What Social Services can offer?

The list below shows examples of the types of services that Social Services Provides.

Adoption	Aids and HIV	Blue badges
Carers	Child abuse	Child protection
Children in care	Community development	Day care
Direct payments	Elderly people	Families
Family support	Fostering	Hearing impairment
Home adaptations	Home help	Learning disabilities
Leaving care	Leaving hospital	Meals
Mental health	Nursing homes	Occupational therapy
Older people	Personal care at home	Physical disabilities
Residential care	Respite care	Special needs
Substance misuse	Visual impairment	Voluntary organisations
Young carers

We advise that you contact your local Social Services to find out which of these services are available in each area.

Following an assessment your Care Manager will discuss the most appropriate service for you.

If you prefer not to use your local Social Services Department Help and Care provide a Support at Home Service that offers the same type of assessment privately. This will not include a financial analysis unless specifically requested by you.

 

Would I be eligible?

If you need assistance with care needs your social services assessment will include an analysis of your financial situation. This will determine whether you are eligible for the services that they subsidise. All Social Services use the same criteria called Fair Access to Care Criteria in order that everyone is assessed in the same way. However each Council has its own view on whether it will subsidise care for people based on whether they have ‘critical’, ‘substantial’, ‘moderate’ or ‘low’ needs.

Poole state; "We will put services in place to meet the needs of those people who are at critical, substantial or moderate risk. We do not provide services to people at low risk but will advise you of other people who can offer advice and support. The care manager assessing your needs will be able to give you more detailed information. There may be a charge for services, subject to financial assessment.”

Bournemouth state “At the moment you will only be eligible for support from Bournemouth Social Services if your needs are Critical or Substantial and if there is no one else willing or able to assist”

Dorset state; Dorset County Council will provide services to meet critical and substantial needs.

If you prefer not to use your local Social Services Department Help and Care provide a Support at Home Service that offers the same type of assessment privately. This will not include a financial analysis unless specifically requested by you.

 

How do I find out how my local Social Services Department is performing?

All Social Services are monitored by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) who also regulate all Home Care Services and all Residential Care Homes and Nursing Homes.

The CSCI website allows members of the public to search the only comprehensive directory of care homes and other services in England; download or order free copies of care service inspection reports that tell you about the quality of each care home or service; and get advice and useful checklists on how to choose a good care home or care service.