Help for Adults who are Blind or Partially Sighted

Getting help from Adult Social Care

If you think you need help or support from Adult Social Care or are concerned about a relative or friend, please contact us.

The team will talk to you about your needs.

They may be able to offer advice or information which answers your needs.

However, it may be decided that additional support is needed. If so:

• A request will be sent through to the local area team.
• A Service Co-ordinator will then contact you.
• They will try and help you over the phone or tell you about other services that may be helpful.
• If you need a visit at home, the Service Co-ordinator will discuss with you about how urgently you need to be seen.
• They will then pass your information to someone who will arrange to visit you at home.

The Assessment process

In your assessment, we will ask:

• What you think your needs are?
• What problems you are facing?
•  What help you have now?
• What help you think you need?

We will use this information to decide which services to arrange for you:

• If your needs are straightforward, the assessment will be straightforward.
• If your needs are more complicated, your assessment will be more detailed.

If necessary, we can arrange services to meet your needs while your assessment is being completed.

We want to help as many people as possible, but our services must go to those who need them most. Whether you qualify for a particular service will depend on your level of need.

We have rules for deciding who receives services from us. These ‘eligibility criteria’ can be obtained from your local Physical Disability service.

Standards

During your assessment:

• We will consider your views and wishes.
• You can have a friend, relative or someone else to help you or speak for you, if you want.
• We will arrange for an interpreter if you do not speak English or if you use sign language.
• We will consider your carer's views.
• The people involved in your assessment will work together effectively.
• We will give you information about the services that are available and any charges involved.

 After your assessment, we will:

• Tell you which services you will get, who will provide them and where and when they will be provided.
• Write this on a Care Plan form. You will be asked to sign it and will be given a copy.
• Provide you with the name of the person who is the worker or is responsible for managing your care.
• After a period, check how you are and alter services if there is a change in your needs.
• Sometimes pass your details onto other services so they can offer their help. We will tell you when we’re doing this and who to contact in the organisation.

 If you want to apply for an assessment please contact the Adult Social Care team (see 'Contact Details').