Accessing care and support If you need to contact us to ask for help and support for the first time, you will be asked to complete a care and support initial assessment, which asks questions about your situation. The most convenient way to do this is online at: www.northyorks.gov. uk/needsassessment If you are unable to go online, you can contact the Customer Service Centre who will complete the initial assessment with you over the telephone. This route will point you in the direction of help and support that you can access for yourself or to the Living Well team (see page 7 for more information regarding Living Well). If we think that you might need information and advice from a professional, or care and support services, you will be referred to a qualified member of staff to arrange a full assessment of your needs.
Assessment If you think that you might need care and support, you should contact us for an assessment. Anyone can request a needs assessment, even if you are likely to have to pay for the full cost of your care. It is recommended that you consider having a needs assessment before purchasing the care you think you might need as there may be solutions that enable you to remain independent for longer. During your assessment, we will work with you to identify your needs by looking at the factors that affect your independence and wellbeing. In discussion with you, and your carers if you like, we will agree the likely effect on your independence, or how likely it is that your home life will be more difficult, break down or become unsafe, if you don’t have appropriate social care support within specified timescales. Assessments are completed through a supported assessment process, with you leading the process, as you are the best judge of your needs and how they can be met. When the assessment has been completed, an eligibility decision will be made based on your needs and the outcomes you want to achieve and the impact your needs have on your
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wellbeing. A more comprehensive or specialist assessment may then follow, depending on the nature of your particular needs and circumstances. See page 17 for more information on eligibility. Promoting your wellbeing We can help to promote your wellbeing in a number of ways. There is no set approach, and how this happens will depend on your needs, goals, wishes and how these impact on your wellbeing. We will consider each case based on you as an individual and, during the assessment process, will consider with you the most relevant aspects of your wellbeing and how your needs impact on this. You can start the assessment process by completing the Care and Support Initial Assessment online at: www.northyorks.gov.uk/ needsassessment If you are unable to go online, please contact the Customer Service Centre on: 01609 780780. Will there be a charge for services provided? There may be a charge for services; for a full description about charging for services, see page 51.
For assistance with finding care and support, call Care Choices on 0800 389 2077