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Funding Your Support Services
There are a number of ways in which our services can be funded.
1. Assistance from Local Authority Social Services Funding:
Depending on each person’s individual circumstances, they may be entitled to some financial assistance from their Local Authority Health & Social Care Services towards the cost of their care and support. An assessment is carried out by a Social Worker to determine if the person is eligible for financial support from their Local Authority towards the cost of their care. The person may also be required to make a financial contribution to Social Services towards the cost of this support, depending on their personal circumstances.
If they are eligible for financial support from their Local Authority, then the person will have a number of options available as to how they access and use this funding towards the cost of their care.
Social Services can arrange the support on the person’s behalf with a domiciliary service provider such as Mobile Care Services Ltd, and Social Services pay the service provider directly for the services they deliver to that person. The customer may be required to make a contribution to their local authority, depending on their circumstances.
Alternatively the Person can request an assessment to receive their funding from Social Services in the form of a Direct Payment . If the person qualifies for Direct Payments, these can be used by the Customer for the purpose of paying for their care and support package in the way choose. Direct payments can be used in a number of ways:
a) Using Direct Payments to employ your own staff
The person can choose to employ their own staff directly, in the form of Personal Assistants, whom they pay through the Direct Payments system. Whilst this may work well for some people, others are anxious about taking on the role of employer and all the responsibilities that are associated with this.
b) Self Managed Direct Payments to purchase support from a Domiciliary Provider
The person can use the Direct Payment to purchase their support directly from a registered Care Provider such as ourselves. The Direct Payments can be paid from Social Services straight to the Customer’s account and we then invoice the Customer for services provided to them on a four-weekly basis.
c) Provider Managed Accounts – Direct Payments
If the person does not want to manage the Direct Payments account themselves, we have systems in place to manage the Direct Payments on the Customer’s behalf – this is called a Provider Managed Account. In addition there are other Third Party Organisations and Charities who can also take on this role for the Customer. The Direct Payment is paid directly to the service provider or third party, and a monthly statement is sent to the customer, confirming the transactions that have taken place that month. This removes the worry a person may have about managing a complex account and employing their own staff by themselves, as this can be managed for them.
Combinations of all 3 of the above options are also possible, increasing choice and opportunities for the Customer.
d) Individual Service Budgets
Different Local Authorities are exploring alternative forms of funding management, including Individual Service Budgets. These may be available in the future as an altenative to direct payments.
2. Continuing Health Care Funding
Some people with complex support needs which include significant health care needs, may qualify for funding from their local Health Authority. To qualify for Continuing Health Care funding, the person must meet certain criteria, and this is usually jointly assessed by a Social Worker/Health Care Professional.
3. Private Funding
Some Customers using our services fund their care and support package privately, and we invoice them (or their nominated representative) on a four weekly basis for the support they receive. This support may be in the form of direct personal support, or it may be in the form of companionship to enable the Customer to pursue activities, interests and hobbies.
In addition, Customers or their relatives/friends can purchase vouchers from Mobile Care Services Ltd, which can then be used to purchase support from trained and experienced Community Support Workers.
The vouchers can be used to purchase support at home in the form of an experienced Support Worker to assist the Customer with a variety of activities that they wish to undertake - such as cooking meals from raw ingredients; or to use one of our internet accessible laptop computers which can be brought to the home so that the Customer can be assisted to do their own internet grocery shopping, to explore the Web or to send e-mails to distant friends and family members.
Alternatively, this time can also be used to access to the community – to accompany and support the Customer to do their own shopping, to attend hospital/GP appointments, to go on outings to places of interest, or to access local community facilities such as colleges, cinemas, theatres, luncheon clubs, leisure facilities or any other location that the customer is unable to access without support.
In addition many people in need of support with personal care qualify for Attendence Allowance. Depending on their support needs this may be at the lower or higher rate. This benefit is not currently means tested, and can be used towards the cost of the support required. Further information can be gained from the Social Worker, Age UK or the Citizens Advice Bureau or on the direct.gov.uk website.