Care Act
Care and support is changing in Sandwell
As of 1 April 2015, the Care Act introduces changes to the way support and care is provided in England.
It means councils have to meet new national standards of care and support to make them consistent across the country.
The changes will affect and may benefit:
- People who receive care and support
- Carers
- People who are planning for their own or someone else's future care and support.
Here's a video explaining the changes.
More changes to the way people pay for care and support will be introduced in 2016. These changes will protect people with the highest needs from facing unlimited costs and provide more financial support to people where necessary.
What is changing?
Wellbeing
Many people will need care and support at some point in their lives. The new national changes are designed to help them plan for the future and put them more in control of the help they receive.
Any decisions about care and support will consider wellbeing and what is important to an individual and their family, so they can stay healthy and remain independent for as long as possible. Whatever the level of need, we will be able to put you in touch with the right organisation to support your needs in the future.
Support for carers
In England, millions of people provide unpaid care or support to an adult family member or friend, either in their own home or somewhere else.
Caring for someone covers lots of different things, like helping with a person’s washing, dressing or eating, taking them to regular appointments or keeping them company when they feel lonely or anxious.
If this sounds like you, changes to the way care and support is provided may mean you are be able to get more help so that you can carry on caring for someone and to look after your own wellbeing.
Needs and eligibility
For the first time, there will be a national level of care and support needs that all councils must consider when they assess what help they can give to carers and the people they care for. This may result in you being eligible for care and support which should make it easier for you to plan for the future.
Care and support is the term used to describe the help some adults need to live as well as possible with an illness or disability and includes the help given by family and friends, as well as any support provided by the council or other organisations. This can include help with things like getting out of bed, washing, dressing, getting to work, cooking meals, eating, seeing friends, caring for families and being part of the community.
Deferred payment agreements
Deferred payment agreements will continue to be available to Sandwell residents. This means that people should not have to sell their homes to pay for care, as they have sometimes had to do in the past.
A deferred payment agreement is an arrangement with the council that will enable some people to use the value of their homes to pay for their care. If you are eligible, we will help to pay the care home bills on your behalf. You can delay repaying us until you choose to sell your home, or until after your death.
Find out more about the Care Act
General information about care and support
Deferred payment agreements
Needs and eligibility
Support for carers
To find out more about how the changes are being introduced in Sandwell, please email sandwell_enquiry@sandwell.gov.uk or call 0121 569 2266.