Direct Payments and other ways to use your Adult Social Care Personal Budget

National Eligibility Criteria The Care and Support (Eligibility Criteria) Regulations 2014 set out a national eligibility threshold. This means that there's a level of need at which we will offer support - it's now set by the government so it's the same wherever you live. You will be eligible if you have a physical or mental condition that has a significant impact on your wellbeing. You must also be unable to achieve at least two of the following: •Feed yourself •Maintain personal hygiene (keeping clean) •Manage toilet needs •Be appropriately clothed •Stay safe in your own home •Manage the housework in your home •See and keep in touch with friends and family and meet new friends •Work, volunteer or do education and training you may need •Make use of necessary facilities or services in the local community including public transport, and recreational facilities or services •Carry out any caring responsibilities you have for a child Further information about eligibility is available on the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) website. We can only give you support if you are assessed as having an eligible need. If you're not assessed as having an eligible need, we'll still provide information, advice and agree any preventative actions to help you remain independent. This might include putting you in touch with other services, organisations and support groups. If you're assessed as having eligible needs; we will work with you to identify solutions and agree the things we need to do to meet your requirements. We'll agree the steps with you and write them down in a detailed Care and Support plan for you.

Anyone, friends, relatives, carers, guardians or health professional can make a referral by making a phone call to 01635 503050 and answering a number of questions or by emailing details to ccenquiries@westberks.gov.uk or faxing to 01635 503399.

Response times vary according to the urgency of the need identified.

Adult Social Care services are chargeable. How much you pay will depend on your needs and your ability to pay for them. Information advice is free. If you require a chargeable service - we will carry out a financial assessment based on your personal financial circumstances only, to see whether you would have to contribute towards the cost of your service.

We aim to provide the best service to you and we like to know when we are getting it right. We also recognise that at times things can go wrong. When they do, we want to put things right quickly, and use the experience to improve our services and prevent future problems. We will decide with you on the best way to resolve your complaint. If another organisation is involved, such as the National Health Service or a care provider, we'll also include them. Our leaflet, Listening to Your Views - How to complain about or comment on Adult Social Care services provides a summary of our complaints process. How to make a complaint Speak to the manager of the service you are dealing with – most concerns or complaints can be resolved quickly through discussions with the manager or contact the Adult Social Care Complaints Manager by: ________________________________________ Email: complaintsadultssocialcare@westberks.gov.uk Telephone: 01635 503391 Fax: 01635 519939 ________________________________________ Alternatively you can register your complaint online

Pre-employment checks are carried out for all employees to ensure that they are suitable for employment, appropriately qualified and can be lawfully employed. For some roles, checks are carried out to ensure the applicant does not pose a risk to the safety of children, young people and/or vulnerable adults.