Adult social care glossary
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| Theme | Term | Definition |
| Assessments & Eligibility | Needs Assessment | A conversation with the council to understand what care and support needs you have. |
| Assessments & Eligibility | Care Act Assessment | An assessment under the Care Act 2014 to decide if you're eligible for support. |
| Assessments & Eligibility | Eligibility Criteria | The rules used to decide if someone qualifies for care and support from the council. |
| Assessments & Eligibility | Carer's Assessment | An assessment to look at the needs of someone who provides unpaid care for another person. |
| Plans & Reviews | Care and Support Plan | A written plan that sets out the help and support you will get, based on your assessment. |
| Plans & Reviews | Support Plan | Another name for a Care and Support Plan - it explains how your needs will be met. |
| Plans & Reviews | Review | A regular check to see if your care and support is still right for you. |
| Funding & Money | Direct Payments | Money given to you by the council so you can arrange your own care and support. |
| Funding & Money | Personal Budget | The amount of money the council says it will spend on meeting your needs. |
| Funding & Money | Financial Assessment | A check of your income, savings and expenses to work out how much you need to pay for care. |
| Funding & Money | Disability-Related Expenses | Extra costs you have because of a disability, which may reduce what you need to pay. |
| Services & Support | Home Care | Support from a carer who visits you at home to help with tasks like washing or dressing. |
| Services & Support | Day Opportunities | Activities and support offered during the day to help people stay active and social. |
| Services & Support | Residential Care | Living in a care home where support is available all the time. |
| Services & Support | Enablement | Short-term support to help you regain independence after an illness or crisis. |
| Services & Support | Occupational Therapy | Support to help you stay independent by suggesting ways to manage daily activities and adapt your home. |
| Safety & Rights | Safeguarding | Protecting adults from abuse, harm, or neglect. |
| Safety & Rights | Mental Capacity | Being able to make your own decisions and understand the consequences. |
| Safety & Rights | Advocate | Someone who helps you have your say if you find it hard to speak up for yourself. |
| Teams & Departments | Adult Social Care Gateway | The main contact point for adult social care in Lewisham. They handle referrals and advice. |
| Teams & Departments | MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) | A team that brings together professionals to support vulnerable children and adults. |
| Teams & Departments | Occupational Therapy Team | A team that assesses and supports adults to live safely and independently at home. |
| Teams & Departments | Lewisham Adult Therapy Team | Provides physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, and rehabilitation for adults. |