The journey through adult social care
Your journey through adult social care will vary depending on your individual needs. The information below is an example of a common pathway through our adult social care services and how we might support you at each stage.
Before you contact us, there are lots of resources to enable you think about how you can help yourself. This could be as simple as talking to family and friends or looking online for local organisations and activities.
Our web pages about staying independent for longer provides further information and advice, as do the following resources:
- Your Circle directory of local care and support
- Gloucestershire Care and Support Guide
- The Care Advice Line
If you feel you need more support and guidance, you (or someone on your behalf) can contact our Adult Social Care Helpdesk.
Before you contact us, there are lots of resources to enable you think about how you can help yourself. This could be as simple as talking to family and friends or looking online for local organisations and activities.
Our web pages about staying independent for longer provides further information and advice, as do the following resources:
- Your Circle directory of local care and support
- Gloucestershire Care and Support Guide
- The Care Advice Line
If you feel you need more support and guidance, you (or someone on your behalf) can contact our Adult Social Care Helpdesk.
Our Adult Social Care Helpdesk can talk to you about your individual care and support needs. Alternatively, we can do this with a family member, carer or advocate if we have your consent to do so.
The Helpdesk can discuss your needs, provide information about support available, and make a referral for an assessment, if required.
Our Adult Social Care Helpdesk can talk to you about your individual care and support needs. Alternatively, we can do this with a family member, carer or advocate if we have your consent to do so.
The Helpdesk can discuss your needs, provide information about support available, and make a referral for an assessment, if required.
Once your referral has been received, a social care practitioner will gather information to understand what support is needed. This is called an adult social care assessment and could be completed by telephone or in-person.
Once your referral has been received, a social care practitioner will gather information to understand what support is needed. This is called an adult social care assessment and could be completed by telephone or in-person.
We may create a support plan with you to meet your needs. Support could be freely available in the community, or we may need to look at support which has to be paid for. Working together ensures you have control over any decisions being made around any potential package of care and support.
If you are eligible to receive adult social care support on a short-term or long-term basis, a financial assessment will determine whether, and how much, you are required to pay.
Most people will have to pay something towards their care costs, and some will pay all their costs. You can find out more in section on paying for adult social care.
We may create a support plan with you to meet your needs. Support could be freely available in the community, or we may need to look at support which has to be paid for. Working together ensures you have control over any decisions being made around any potential package of care and support.
If you are eligible to receive adult social care support on a short-term or long-term basis, a financial assessment will determine whether, and how much, you are required to pay.
Most people will have to pay something towards their care costs, and some will pay all their costs. You can find out more in section on paying for adult social care.
If you are eligible for financial support from the council, there are options available:
- Council-arranged care - our Brokerage Team will contact you to arrange your care and support. We will organise the services agreed in your support plan through one of our contracted providers.
- Direct payments - you can choose, with your social care practitioner, to receive funds directly. This gives you the flexibility to arrange and manage your own care. Find out more about direct payments.
If you are eligible for financial support from the council, there are options available:
- Council-arranged care - our Brokerage Team will contact you to arrange your care and support. We will organise the services agreed in your support plan through one of our contracted providers.
- Direct payments - you can choose, with your social care practitioner, to receive funds directly. This gives you the flexibility to arrange and manage your own care. Find out more about direct payments.
Six weeks from the start of your care and support plan, your practitioner will ask how you are getting on, check the progress you are making, and whether the support provided is meeting your needs. This is called a review. Any changes can be made at this time.
Six weeks from the start of your care and support plan, your practitioner will ask how you are getting on, check the progress you are making, and whether the support provided is meeting your needs. This is called a review. Any changes can be made at this time.
After 12 months, you will have an annual review to see if your care and support arrangements are still appropriate and meeting your needs. Things may remain the same or be amended to reflect any changes you may have experienced. You can choose to cancel your care and support arrangements at any time.
After 12 months, you will have an annual review to see if your care and support arrangements are still appropriate and meeting your needs. Things may remain the same or be amended to reflect any changes you may have experienced. You can choose to cancel your care and support arrangements at any time.
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