Care and support

The Act gives a legal basis for the new way of working that is already taking place in the borough. We are bringing together health and social care services, working to make our communities stronger and helping people to improve their own wellbeing.

Care and support is a term used to describe the help some adults need to live as well as possible with any illness or disability they may have. It can include help with things like getting out of bed, washing, dressing, getting to work, cooking meals, eating, seeing friends, caring for families and being part of the community.

It might also include emotional support at a time of difficulty and stress or helping people who are caring for an adult family member or friend.

Care and support includes the help given by family and friends, as well as that provided by the council or other organisations.

Your wellbeing

Many of us will need care and support at some point in our lives and most people will pay something towards the cost of their care. The changes outlined in the Care Act are designed to help you plan for the future and put you more in control of the help you receive.

Any discussions about your care and support will consider your wellbeing and what is important to you and your family, so you can stay healthy and remain independent for longer. You will be fully involved in decisions and you will be able to get information and advice about the process.

What is changing?

In April 2015, we will be introducing:

• updates to our information and advice services to make care and support easier to understand and navigate

• further improvements to services that intervene early and help people get back on their feet after a health crisis

• wider support for carers, who will have greater access to assessments and options for personal budgets if they have eligible needs.

A new national criteria for care and support needs is being introduced to make care and support more consistent across the country. This is to be set at around the level already used in the borough.

More changes to the way people pay for care and support will be introduced in 2016. These will protect people with the highest needs from facing unlimited costs through bringing in a lifetime cap on care costs.