Home care assessment

The home assessment scheme is designed to carry out an assessment to determine individuals who may need help overcome any difficulties with daily living tasks.

What to do if you think your assessment is wrong

You can either write or telephone us, contact details are at the bottom of this page. Alternatively, your advocate or representative may do so.

Please tell us why you think the assessment is wrong.

We will check your assessment and tell you if any changes need to be made or if the original assessment is correct. We may need to visit you to ask some questions or look at some papers.

We will try to answer your queries immediately. If we cannot do this, we will write within 21 days.

What happens if you are not happy with the outcome?

If you are unhappy with our response you may appeal against the charges set.

We can do this with your initial inquiry but you may wish to add to your statement. At this stage you could consider approaching one of the voluntary groups who may be able to assist you. We can help you do this.

The Head of Social Services will consider your appeal and a decision will be sent to you within 28 days. That decision may be:

• To waive your weekly charge in full or reduce it
• To refuse your appeal

What can you do if you are still not satisfied?

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your appeal to the Head of Social Services, you may request that the matter be referred to an independent panel.

• Your case should be considered by the panel within 28 days of referral
• You may attend the panel to put your case if you wish
• You may be represented by a third party should you wish

The decision of the panel will be confirmed to you within 7 days. This will include reasons for the decision.

What if you wish to complain?

The Review and Appeals procedure is for people who consider that their assessment is either incorrect or will lead to financial hardship. Alternatively, you can complain about other things. These are some examples:

• You have not been treated fairly
• You have not been treated with courtesy and respect
• You are not satisfied with the service you have received

To make a complaint, you can write to the Complaints Unit or telephone them. A booklet is available which explains the complaints process. Please ask for a copy.

Addresses and telephone numbers

Financial Assessment Unit
Adult Social Care
London Borough of Waltham Forest
Waltham Forest Town Hall
Forest Road
Walthamstow E17 4JF
Tel 020 8496 3000

Social Care Complaints Manager
Waltham Forest Town Hall
Forest Road
Walthamstow
London E17 4JF
Tel 020 8496 3000
Minicom: 020 8496 3010
adultservicescomplaints@walthamforest.gov.uk

Age UK
Peterhouse Community Centre
122 Forest Rise
Walthamstow E17 3PW
Tel 020 8558 5512

DIAL
Community Place
806 High Road
Leyton E10 6AE
Tel 020 8539 8884

We will carry out an assessment of your needs. This means we will meet with you and your carer/family to discuss what you can do for yourself, what you have difficulty doing and what activities you need help with. As part of the assessment we will also discuss with you contacting your GP and other social care and health professionals, who would be able to provide valuable information.

We will tell you and your carers about the community support services that are available and discuss with you the options available to provide direct services to you and to support your carer(s). We will complete a care plan and discuss with you, whether this meets your assessed needs. We will only offer you a place in a home if we are sure you cannot stay at home safely even with a full package of services.

When the assessment is completed each case is presented to the Residential and Nursing Home Panel, which meets weekly. This panel will decide whether you meet the criteria to go into a home, what type of home best suits your needs and what level of care you will need. The panel will only agree to you going into a care home if you are in the ‘critical/substantial’ level of need as defined by the Department of Health’s ’Fair Access to Care’ guidelines. These guidelines are set by the Government and apply throughout the country. They say how we assess your care needs, judge the risks and how to decide what services to offer you. Waltham Forest only provides services to people with critical/substantial needs. Please click here to view the ’Fair Access to Care’ guidelines.

Before considering a nursing home you will have your health needs assessed by the Health Service. This is called a Continuing Care Assessment. This will look at whether you need and are entitled to NHS care on the basis of your health now and in the future. A panel from Health and Social Services will decide whether you are eligible for Continuing Care.

For all three types of care there are eligibility criteria. You must meet all conditions before we offer you the appropriate type of care. Click here to view eligibility criteria.

Other options

Extra care housing: This allows you keep your independence while offering support and community care in a supportive environment. It is based around Warden Supported accommodation and can be applied for via the Sheltered Housing panel. Social workers will assist in making applications to this panel.

• Care in you own home
• Sheltered housing
• Supporting people
• Day centres

Contact us

You can contact us by:

• Calling Waltham Forest Direct on 020 8496 3000
• Visiting your local Social Services office

What is Continuing Care and how can I be assessed for it?

Some people, with complex healthcare needs, may be entitled to NHS Continuing Care. If you or your family feel that this applies to you, you can ask for an assessment, called a ‘continuing care assessment’. Health and Social Service workers will jointly assess your needs, and this assessment will be considered by the continuing care panel. This panel will decide whether you meet the eligibility criteria for NHS Continuing Care. If you are accepted as eligible for NHS Continuing Care, options in respect of how the Primary care Trust will meet your needs will be discussed with you.

• If you are living at home you, or your family/carer, can ask your GP or other health professional to arrange this assessment
• If you are in hospital you, or your family/carer, can ask the ward doctor/staff to arrange this assessment

Contact us

You can contact us by:

• Calling Waltham Forest Direct on 020 8496 3000
• Visiting your local Social Services office

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