Social Care Local Office Contact Details
DORSET:
Bridport
01308 422234
Christchurch
01202 474106
Dorechester
01305 251414
Ferndown
01202 877445
North Dorset
01258 472652
Purbeck
01929 553456
Sherborne
01935 814104
Weymouth & Portland
01305 760139
Out of Hours
01202 657279
HAMPSHIRE:
Aldershot
01252 314221
Andover
0845 603 5620
Basingstoke & Deane
01256 362000
Eastleigh
0845 603 5620
Fareham & Gosport
0845 603 5620
Havant
0845 603 5620
New Forest
0845 603 5620
Winchester
01962 869611
Direct Payments for Care
If you, or someone that you are responsible for, has been assessed as having a need for support that will be funded through Social Services, then you will be entitled to receive what is now termed as "Direct Payments", allowing you to take control of how the money allocated to you is spent. Care organisations like ours are equipped to accept these Direct Payments and would be very happy to work with you to establish the most effective way of looking after your own specific needs.
What does it mean? How does it work?
In essence, instead of the Local Authority arranging and making payments for the services required, they make an equivalent cash payment directly to the individual, to enable them to organise the services themselves.
Such payments can be made to those aged 16 or over with care needs, to people with parental responsibility for children in need of care, and to carers aged 16 or over in respect of carer services.
The purpose of these Direct Payments is to give the individual greater control over their own life by providing an alternative to the social care services provided by the local council. It is hoped that a financial payment of this sort will give them the flexibility to look beyond 'off-the-peg' service solutions for certain housing, employment, education and leisure activities as well as for personal assistance to meet their specific needs.
In practice, many recipients of Direct Payments and those in control of their own "Individual Budgets" use some of the funds provided to employ their own Personal Assistants either themselves or, because employing carers directly carries many of its own complications, through an organisation like ours.
Why use a care provider like us?
Although its perfectly possible for individuals to employ their own staff team, the process is far from simple and the peace of mind afforded by using an accredited care provider is seen by many to be a more practical option.
The recruitment and employment process is often a lengthy one, with the need to: advertise for staff; carry out interviews; reject unsuccessful applicants; make offers to successful ones; undertake references and carry out CRB checks - all before employment commences.
This is followed by : rota management; timesheet management; payroll supervision; holiday pay arrangements and cover; cover for sickness and unforeseen circumstances etc, etc.
The Care Division covers all these areas in its day-to-day functions, but in addition stands in-between our clients and our own staff, enabling any problems or conflicts that may occur from time to time, to be addressed in a professional and non-confrontational fashion.
How can we help?
When a potential new client contacts us, our Registered Manager will arrange an early visit to explain how the system works and to assess the suitability of our involvement. If deemed appropriate then a comprehensive Care Needs Assessment or Plan of Assistance, will be carried out to look at the level and extent of support that is required. We then discuss the options with our client and draw up a suitable plan of care and a detailed evaluation of the costings involved.
When the client is happy with this plan and the costings involved the service can begin. We then invoice on a weekly basis and if our client lives in an area like Poole, where the local authority has put in place a card payment scheme, we will be able to accept payment using the RBS Direct Payment charge card.
Once the service is launched a further programme of reviews is put in place, along with a procedure for dealing with problems and difficulties that may occur. Staff are supervised on a regular basis and any training needs that become apparent are discussed and addressed at the earliest opportunity.
Trust is the key ingredient to making this sort of arrangement work. Obtaining your trust is our primary goal.
For further information or to arrange a visit please call us on 0845 521 0424