Assessing needs for care services

Do you require a Care Plan?

We have a responsibility to:

  • assess your need for services if you belong to a priority group;
  • come to an agreement with you about what you need;
  • following that agreement, arrange any necessary services depending on available resources.

We work closely with Health Services, Housing Authorities, voluntary and private sector organisations to provide appropriate services. It's also important to note that depending on the support required, extra help can be provided by specialist services from outwith the Stirling area.

The most important part of the assessment is your participation and that of your carer if you have one. A Care Manager will draw up a care plan with you. This will describe the decisions reached, what help you will get and who will provide it, in plain language.

We will try to arrange your care as soon as possible. People with the most urgent needs are helped first, so while we'll do our best to get the services you need, if your need is less urgent you might have to wait for services to become available.

How is an assessment carried out?

An assessment is carried out by someone from our Assessment and Care Management team.  This person attending could be a Social Worker, a Care Manager, or an Occupational Therapist.  The assessment will take into account:

  • your wishes as the person being assessed
  • whether you have any particular physical difficulties, for example, problems with walking or climbing stairs
  • whether you have any particular health or housing need
  • what sources of help you have access to, such as carers, family or nearby friends and their willingness to continue providing care
  • the potential needs of the people who provide you with care

What happens after an assessment?

Once an assessment has been carried out, we will decide whether you are entitled to services to meet your needs.

If Stirling Council is going to provide services, the services will be set out in a care plan.  You will be given a copy of the assessment and care plan.

The care plan will set out:

  • the services which are to be provided
  • who will provide the services, when and what will be achieved by providing them
  • who and where to contact about services
  • information on how to ask for a review of the services being provided if your circumstances change

When can I receive care?

The Scottish Government has introduced guidance which provides a national framework and minimum standards (expressed as waiting times) for the assessment and delivery of community care services to older people.  Our Assessment and Eligibility Framework, introduced in 2008, is consistent with the national guidance.  We provide assessments of need to people at all levels of priority.  Following assessment, we will arrange provision of services to meet the assessed needs.  The Eligibility framework, as described below, is designed to clarify this process.

Will I have to pay for my care?

We provide a range of care services to help people stay independent in their own homes for as long as possible.  Many of our services, such as reablement, crisis care, rehabilitation at home and personal care for people aged over 65, are free.  There is a charge for some other services.  For more information, please see contributing to your care

What is the Eligibility framework?

The Eligibility framework is set out in four bands, which describe the seriousness of risk to independence, harm or danger and the assessed outcomes or consequences if the needs are not met. 

The bands are:

Critical risk (Priority level 1)

Indicates that there are major risks to an individual's independent living or health and wellbeing and is likely to require immediate provision.

Immediate provision is defined as assessment service response within 1-2 weeks (14 calendar days), with a minimum standard of provision within 6 weeks (42 calendar days) from completion of the assessment or review.

Substantial risk (Priority level 2)

Indicates significant risk to independent living or health and wellbeing and likely to require imminent provision.  Imminent provision is defined as an assessment service response within 6 weeks (42 calendar days), with a minimum standard of direct service provision within 6 weeks (42 calendar days) from completion of the assessment of need.

Moderate risk (Priority level 3)

Indicates that there are some risks to an individual's independence, wellbeing, or health.  At this level some Social Care Services may be managed or prioritised, with appropriate arrangements for review.
Moderate is defined as assessment service response within 12 weeks (84 calendar days), with a minimum standard of provision within 6 months from completion of assessment or review.

Low risk (Priority level 4)

Indicates that there may be some quality of life issues. 
Low is defined as an assessment service response within 17 weeks (119 calendar days), with service provision, including sign posting, within the next 12 months.

The framework is applied to all areas of response and outcomes - referral screening, allocation priority, assessment or review outcome, resourcing and delivery of care provision.  The application of the eligibility criteria should not remain static but be reviewed on an annual basis in line with the resources available to the service.

Further information

For more information regarding care assessments, please see our care assessment page.

How to request an assessment?

There are a variety of ways of accessing services, including contacting us directly:

Telephone: 0845 277 7000

Assessment and Care Management
Stirling Council
Wellgreen Place
Stirling
FK8 2EG
 
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