Care and Support section

See also

  • Carephones
    What is a Carephone and how does it work?
  • Eligibility criteria
    Information on who can get help from adult social care services
  • Assistive technology equipment
    Equipment, products or systems that can be used to increase maintain or improve the functional capabilities and independence of people with physical or communication difficulties

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Putting People First image Home: Community full menu: Care and support: Living independently

Putting People First

Gateway to care - October 2011
gatewaytocare@kirklees.gov.uk


Putting People First in Kirklees

Putting People First: frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about Putting People First which sets the direction for adult social care over the next 10 years and more.
More about Putting People First
Information regarding the choices you can make about the support you get.
Living independently: case studies
Case studies showing the difference services have made to peoples lives.
PDF Putting People First complaints and comments form and procedure guide (PDF 2.5 MB)
Please download and read the guide, print and complete the form to make complaints or comments and post the form back to us.
in Control - Support factsheets (External)
Fact sheets to help you direct your support, covering everything from making a plan to getting involved in your community.
Myths about Personalisation
Here are some statements that people have wrongly said about personalisation - we provide some answers
Personal Budgets DVD from the Department of Health
Highlights some of the stories from around the country where Personal Budgets have improved lives.
Changing face of adult social care
Information about the following topics: Dementia and people living longer, Mind the gap- the care funding gap, What's going to be different? What will success look like? What we need to do to achieve this success?

Putting People First newsletters

A selection of information for the public around Putting People First in Kirklees

About Putting People First in Kirklees

The Government has asked local authorities like Kirklees Council to change the way we deliver adult social care services to make sure we continue to put people first. This change is called 'the transformation of adult social care'.


We will keep you updated on the progress we are making in achieving these changes. We will tell you what we are doing and how we will be working with local people to make the change a positive experience.


To help us to deliver this change we are working with other organisations in Kirklees including NHS Kirklees, other council services, such as Communities and Leisure, social care providers like care homes and voluntary and community organisations.


Our aim is to make sure you can live your life as you wish, knowing that services are of high quality, are safe and tailored for you as an individual. The services you receive should help you to live independently, while maintaining your well-being and dignity and offering more choice and control over your life.


Kirklees introduced 'Putting People First' for everyone who starts to use our services in January 2010.


If you are already using our services, you don't need to do anything. We will discuss any changes with you at your annual review.


Contact Gateway to Care on 01484 414933.


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Getting personal - but what does it really mean?

The government has asked all local authorities to transform the way they deliver adult social care by personalising services to put people at the centre of how their care and support needs are identified and met. "Nothing new there you might say, shouldn't they be doing that anyway"?


This agenda, called 'Putting People First', aims to improve the outcomes for people who use adult social care services and their carers, by providing them with opportunities to take control and make choices on how best their support can be delivered and where they choose to manage their own support packages.


"It will ensure that everyone, from those that just want advice and information about what is on offer, to those that use services, are given choice, dignity and control in the way they lead their lives."


Kirklees Council has been working hard to introduce the new person-led assessment process for new people coming forward for services.


In the future, everyone eligible for adult social care will have a personal budget - which means they will know how much money for social care services is available to them. This will allow people to decide what they need to make sure that they get the right support, at the right time, in the right place. For people already receiving services the council will offer them the opportunity to take up a personal budget as part of their planned annual review.


Here are a few snippets from some of the people already finding the new way of working better for them and their carers.

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Personal budgets

A personal budget is the amount of council money given to people to fund their care and support. Any funding given has to be in-line with their support plan. This is a plan agreed with the person involved and the council.


Personal budgets come in different formats. They can be:

  • a direct (cash) payment
  • by way of an 'account' held and managed by the council as requested by the person
  • a mixture of the above
  • an "Individual Service Fund" where a third party holds the budget on behalf of the person
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Self-funding your own care, how can we help you?

We also provide information and advice for people who want to fund their own care without having a person-led assessment.


People arrange their own social care services for different reasons. Some people may pay the full costs and others may be 'council supported', but still pay a charge.


If you are paying the full costs of your care, you are known as a 'self-funder'. This means that either:


  • you have chosen not to ask adult social care for help, or
  • you have been assessed but you are not currently eligible for social care services, or
  • you have approached adult social care and, although your needs show that you are eligible for services, you have savings and property to the value of £23,250.

Information for people who fund their own care


If you are unable to get social care support from Kirklees Council Adult Services, you can call Gateway to care. Gateway to care is a council health and social care information point. They offer a wide range of information and advice on local health and social care services. They have information on home care, housing repairs and luncheon clubs etc. You can also ask for a home visit from a Gateway worker. They will discuss all your social care needs with you and let you know where you can get the support you need. For information, call Gateway to care on 01484 414933.


There are free and low-cost alternatives to paying for your own care services, many of which are available locally. If you're looking for activities during the day, you may like to think about joining in with some of the organised activities in your area. For more information visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/localorganisations.


We can also help you to find what level of care you may need, depending on your level of need.


How can I find out about arranging my own care services?


If you are arranging your own care services, a list of local providers of care can be found at www.kirklees.gov.uk/localorganisations or by calling Gateway to care on 01484 414933.


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Kirklees Council Carephone Home Safety Service

Kirklees Council Carephone Home Safety Service is for people with different health and social care needs including the elderly, people with physical or learning disabilities, domestic violence victims and dementia sufferers.


It is part of a complete package of safety services which also includes fall detectors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms and infrared movement detectors. They are designed to support people to live independently at home.


The devices can offer help in a range of emergency situations from falls and carbon monoxide leaks to floods and fires.

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