Welfare Reform on the Web (June 2004): Social Care - UK - Community Care

CARING BUT NOT COPING

A.U. Sale

Community Care, Apr.29th-May 5th 2004, p.32-33

Carers of older and disabled people can be driven to breaking point by isolation and lack of support from statutory services. They have a legal right to a needs assessment, but local authorities are under no obligation to provide support services.

COUNCILS FACE COST POSER IF VULNERABLE PEOPLE EXERCISE THEIR INDEPENDENCE

C. Kenny

Community Care, May 13th-19th 2004, p.18-19

The Supporting People programme is helping vulnerable adults leave residential care and live in the community. Many had been placed in residential care outside of their home local authority. While they were in residential care, they were supported financially by the sending authority. On leaving, the costs of their social care became the responsibility of the host authority. There are concerns among these councils about the level of demand for community care they will face.

IS HELP EASILY AT HAND?

A.U. Sale and K. Leason

Community Care, May 6th-12th 2004, p.28-31

Direct payments were introduced to empower service users to purchase their own support. The article surveys their implementation amongst older and physically disabled people, those with learning difficulties, and people with mental health problems.