Introduction

1.2    GSL is an alternative to traditional social care or health services. It is a service where someone aged 18 and over with an assessed eligible health or social care need can be supported for a few hours, a few days or live on a long-term basis with a GSL carer in their home as part of their family.

1.3    When someone is receiving GSL services:

• Referrers (e.g. the council’s Adult Social Care service, other Local Authorities, Health services) remain responsible for ensuring that the person’s care needs are assessed and reviewed and that they have access to appropriate services to meet their needs.
  
  
• GSL is responsible for the GSL care arrangement and for the quality of care provided. This includes:
  • recruiting, vetting, training and approving carers
  • matching people who need care with approved carers
  • monitoring the quality of GSL arrangements and enabling carers to provide the best possible care and support for people using GSL services

1.4    The terms ‘person’ or ‘people’ in this policy mean anyone in a GSL arrangement but may also include anyone who is representing the person, for example a family member or an advocate. See appendix 1 for definitions of other terms used in this policy.