Social Care Support and Funding
No one knows what the future holds, and people can find themselves in need of social care support for a variety of reasons.
Our legal experts understand that it can be hard working out the best options for yourself or your loved ones. It’s already a difficult time for your family, and we recognise it can be stressful trying to navigate a way through the often complex pathways that ultimately lead to getting the professional input you need.
We understand that the health and social care system is also facing challenges, and that much of a professionals’ attention can be on crisis response, whilst families are trying to plan for care and support to avoid the need for any crisis intervention. Getting the right support, at the right time, can be crucial in meeting needs and managing risks and we are here to help achieve that.
Our team is here to provide advice on eligibility for care and support under the Care Act 2014, s117 Mental Health Act 1983 and NHS continuing healthcare to help you prepare for and, if necessary, challenge assessments and the preparation of support plans. We can guide you through the process, step-by-step, so you can have one less thing to worry about.
We are available to advise:
- People seeking care and support for themselves, including people seeking carer’s assessment
- People seeking care and support for a member of their family
- Professional or lay deputies wanting to ensure they have maximised statutory funding
Our service to individuals and their families
We understand that everyone is different, and tailor our services to achieve your outcomes. During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss any ongoing or future social care involvement, the support you want and the options available to achieve your goals.
Assessment stages
We can advise on eligibility criteria as well as needs assessment and, where relevant, financial assessment, to help support you through the process.
If you are not satisfied with the assessment or eligibility decision when you receive it, we’ll also provide you with expert advice as to the next steps.
Support planning
We know that how support is delivered can make a massive difference to quality of life and that there is no “one size fits all” support plan, regardless of age or diagnosis. There are so many options for support at home, supported living or residential care and securing a personal budget that covers the best option for you can be a challenge. We can support you and advocate for you in your dealings with local authorities and NHS bodies to help you get the support that is right for you.
Direct payments
Direct payments can be an attractive option for people looking for flexibility and control over how their needs are met. The availability and viability of this option will depend on individual circumstances however, and we can advise you on how to access and maximise support through direct payments and personal health budgets.
Further action
If it is not possible to reach agreement between you and the funding local authority or NHS body about your care and support, we can assist you in taking further action such as:
- Internal complaints
- Safeguarding actions
- Complaints to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
- Appeals of decisions made under NHS continuing healthcare
- Investigations by the Office of the Public Guardian
- Judicial Review proceedings
Our service to professional deputies
Our team recognise that sometimes a multi-disciplinary approach is needed from lawyers, as well as frontline professionals. There are times, during the course of acting as a property and financial affairs deputy, when you need guidance on statutory funding or health and welfare issues. We can provide clear and timely advice on securing and maximising statutory funding and input from statutory services and help you to achieve the best outcomes for your clients.
Our service to professional deputies includes:
- Advice on the application of the ACC judgement in relation to your issue
- Full quotation and regular updates as to cost
- Detailed written advice on eligibility for statutory funding through NHS continuing healthcare, Care Act 2014 and s117 Aftercare
- Full consultation with relevant professionals such as case managers, care providers and other members of the multi-disciplinary team
- Liaison with statutory services on behalf of your client
- Attending care planning and dispute resolution meetings including representation through NHS continuing healthcare appeals
- Advice on challenging decisions made by statutory bodies, including the prospects of success in a judicial review claim
