Advocacy

Support from an independent person who helps you understand your rights, express your wishes and navigate the care system. A Care Act Advocate can be requested from your local authority.

 

Assessment

A formal process carried out by your local authority to identify your care and support needs. Everyone has the right to request a needs assessment regardless of their financial situation.

 

Attendance Allowance

A benefit for people aged 65 and over who need help with personal care due to illness or disability. It is not means tested and does not depend on whether you have a carer.

 

Best Interests

A legal principle used when making decisions for someone who lacks mental capacity. Decisions must be made in the person's best interests taking their wishes, feelings and values into account.

 

Care Act 2014

The main piece of legislation governing adult social care in England. It sets out the rights of people who need care and their carers, including the right to a needs assessment, personal budget and choice of provider.

 

Care Home

A residential setting providing 24 hour personal care and support. Staff are on hand around the clock but there are no registered nurses on site — this distinguishes a care home from a nursing home.

 

Care Plan

A written document setting out your assessed needs and how they will be met. Your care plan should reflect your wishes and preferences and be reviewed regularly.

 

Carer

An unpaid person — usually a family member or friend — who provides regular support to someone who could not manage without their help. Carers have their own legal rights including the right to a Carer's Assessment.

 

Carer's Assessment

A formal assessment of the impact caring has on a carer's life, health and wellbeing. Carried out by the local authority and separate from the assessment of the person being cared for.

 

CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group)

Now replaced by Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). Previously responsible for commissioning NHS services in local areas.

 

CHC (Continuing Healthcare)

See NHS Continuing Healthcare.

 

Commissioning

The process by which local authorities and the NHS plan, purchase and monitor care services on behalf of local people.

 

Community Care

Care and support provided to people in their own homes or in community settings rather than in hospitals or residential care.

 

Court of Protection

A specialist court that makes decisions about the property, finances and personal welfare of people who lack mental capacity to make those decisions themselves.

 

 

CQC (Care Quality Commission)

The independent regulator of health and social care services in England. The CQC inspects and rates care providers and can take action against those not meeting required standards.

Phone: 03000 616161

Website: cqc.org.uk

Day Centre

A community facility providing activities, social interaction and sometimes personal care for older people or people with disabilities during the day. Can provide respite for carers.

 

Dementia

A syndrome affecting memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to carry out daily activities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form. Specialist dementia care is available in some care homes and nursing homes.

 

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)

Legal safeguards that apply when a person who lacks mental capacity is being cared for in a way that restricts their freedom — for example in a care home or hospital. The aim is to ensure the deprivation of liberty is necessary and in the person's best interests.

 

Direct Payment

A cash payment made by the local authority directly to you or a nominated person so you can arrange and purchase your own care rather than having the council arrange it for you.

 

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

A benefit for disabled children under 16 to help with the extra costs of disability. Being replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for adults.

 

Discharge

The process of leaving hospital. A discharge assessment should consider your care needs before you go home or move to another care setting. You should not be discharged without a suitable care plan in place.

 

DoLS See Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

 

Domiciliary Care

Another term for home care — care provided in your own home by a care worker. Also known as community care or home help.

 

Duty of Care

A legal obligation on care providers and local authorities to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the people in their care.

 

Early Help

Support provided to children, young people and families at the first sign of emerging problems — before needs escalate to the point of requiring statutory intervention.

 

EHC Plan (Education, Health and Care Plan)

A legal document for children and young people aged 0–25 with significant special educational needs and disabilities. It describes their needs and the support they must receive across education, health and social care.

 

Eligibility

The criteria used by local authorities to determine whether someone qualifies for council-funded care and support. Under the Care Act 2014 the national eligibility threshold is based on whether needs arise from a physical or mental impairment and affect the person's ability to achieve key outcomes.

 

Extra Care Housing

Specialist housing for older people or people with disabilities that provides self-contained accommodation alongside on-site care and support services. More support than sheltered housing but less than a care home.

 

Financial Assessment

A means test carried out by the local authority to determine how much you will contribute towards the cost of your care. Also known as a means test.

 

 

Funded Nursing Care (FNC)

A contribution made by the NHS towards the cost of nursing care for people living in nursing homes who do not qualify for full NHS Continuing Healthcare funding.

Gross Budget

The total amount of money allocated to meet your care needs before any financial contribution from you is deducted.

 

Hospital Discharge

See Discharge.

 

ICB (Integrated Care Board)

The NHS body responsible for planning and commissioning health services in a local area. In the North East this is the North East and North Cumbria ICB (NENC ICB). Also responsible for NHS Continuing Healthcare assessments and funding.

 

Independent Living

The principle that disabled and older people should have the same freedom, choice and control over their lives as anyone else. Supported by direct payments, personal budgets and supported living arrangements.

 

Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA)

A specialist advocate for people who lack mental capacity and have no family or friends to support them. Must be involved in certain decisions including serious medical treatment and changes in accommodation.

 

Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO)

A qualified social worker who oversees the care plans of looked after children and ensures their wishes and feelings are taken into account at reviews.

 

Individual Service Fund (ISF)

A way of managing a personal budget where a care provider holds the budget on your behalf and manages it according to your wishes and agreed outcomes.

 

IPSEA

Independent Provider of Special Education Advice. A charity providing free legal advice on SEND matters including EHC plans and appeals.

Phone: 0800 018 4016

Website: ipsea.org.uk

 

Kinship Care

Care provided by a relative or family friend when a child cannot live with their parents. Kinship carers may be approved as foster carers or have a Special Guardianship Order.

 

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

A legal document allowing someone to appoint a trusted person to make decisions on their behalf if they lose mental capacity. There are two types — one for property and financial affairs and one for health and welfare.

 

Learning Disability

A reduced intellectual ability and difficulty with everyday activities that has a lasting effect on development. People with learning disabilities have the right to care and support tailored to their individual needs.

 

Local Authority

Your local council — responsible for assessing and arranging adult social care and children's services in your area. See our Local Contacts page for details for your area.

 

Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO)

The independent body that investigates complaints about local authorities and adult social care providers.

Phone: 0300 061 0614

Website: lgo.org.uk

 

Local Offer

A document published by every local authority setting out the services and support available for children and young people with SEND in their area.

 

 

Looked After Child

A child who is in the care of the local authority — either through a voluntary agreement with parents or a court order.

Means Test

See Financial Assessment. A calculation of your income and assets to determine how much you contribute towards care costs.

 

Mental Capacity

The ability to make your own decisions. A person lacks mental capacity if they are unable to understand, retain, use or communicate information needed to make a specific decision. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 sets out how decisions should be made for people who lack capacity.

 

Mental Capacity Act 2005

The law that protects people who lack mental capacity to make decisions for themselves. It sets out how decisions should be made in a person's best interests and establishes Lasting Powers of Attorney and the Court of Protection.

 

Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)

A team of professionals from different disciplines — such as social workers, nurses, occupational therapists and GPs — who work together to assess and plan care for a person with complex needs.

 

Needs Assessment

See Assessment.

 

NENC ICB

North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board — the NHS body responsible for commissioning health services and NHS Continuing Healthcare across the North East.

Phone: 0191 512 8484

Website: northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk

 

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

Fully funded NHS care for adults with complex, significant health needs. If eligible the NHS pays for all care costs regardless of setting. Assessed by the NENC ICB in the North East.

 

Nursing Home

A residential care setting providing 24 hour personal care with registered nurses on site. Suitable for people with complex medical or nursing needs.

 

Occupational Therapist (OT)

A healthcare professional who assesses how a person's condition affects their ability to carry out daily activities and recommends adaptations, equipment or support to help maintain independence.

 

Ombudsman

An independent official who investigates complaints. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigates complaints about councils and care providers. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman investigates complaints about the NHS.

 

Ordinary Residence

The area where a person normally lives — used to determine which local authority is responsible for their care and support.

 

Pathway Plan

A plan for young people leaving care setting out their needs and how the local authority will support them into adulthood. Must be in place from age 16 and reviewed regularly.

 

Personal Budget

The amount of money your local authority allocates to meet your assessed care and support needs. You have the right to know your personal budget and to choose how it is spent.

 

Personal Health Budget

An amount of NHS money allocated to an individual to manage their own healthcare and support. Available to people eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare.

 

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

A benefit for people aged 16–64 with a long term health condition or disability to help with the extra costs of daily living and mobility.

 

 

Primary Support Reason

The main reason a person needs care and support — used by local authorities to categorise and plan care.

Reablement

Short term intensive support — usually up to six weeks — to help a person regain independence after illness, injury or a hospital stay. Provided free by the local authority and focused on helping people do things for themselves.

 

Registered Manager

The person legally responsible for the day to day running of a regulated care service. Must be registered with the CQC and meet required standards of competence and character.

 

Residential Care

Care provided in a residential setting — either a care home or nursing home — where the person lives permanently or for a period of time.

 

Respite Care

Short term care arranged to give unpaid carers a break. Can be provided at home, in a care home or at a day centre. Can be arranged through the local authority following a carer's assessment.

 

Safeguarding

The process of protecting adults and children from abuse, neglect or harm. Local authorities have a duty to investigate safeguarding concerns and take action to protect vulnerable people.

 

SEND

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. A term used to describe a range of needs including learning difficulties, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, autism and mental health conditions.

 

SENDIASS

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service. A free, impartial and confidential service in every local authority providing advice on SEND matters for children, young people and their families.

 

Section 20

A voluntary arrangement under the Children Act 1989 where parents agree to their child being looked after by the local authority temporarily.

 

Section 47

An enquiry carried out by children's services when there are concerns that a child is suffering or at risk of suffering significant harm.

 

Self-Directed Support

An approach to social care that gives people more choice and control over how their assessed needs are met — through direct payments, personal budgets or individual service funds.

 

Self-Funder

A person who pays for their own care because their assets or income are above the financial threshold for council-funded support. Self-funders have the right to request a needs assessment and advice from their local authority.

 

SENCO

Special Educational Needs Coordinator. A teacher in a school or nursery responsible for coordinating support for children with SEND.

 

Sheltered Housing

Housing designed for older people providing self-contained accommodation with a scheme manager or warden and emergency call systems. Less intensive than extra care housing.

 

Short Breaks

Opportunities for disabled children and young people to spend time away from their main carer — providing respite for families and positive experiences for the child.

 

Special Guardianship Order (SGO)

A court order placing a child with a special guardian — usually a relative or family friend — who has parental responsibility for the child. Less permanent than adoption but provides more security than foster care.

 

Staying Put

An arrangement allowing young people to remain with their foster family after the age of 18 — up to age 21 — if both the young person and foster carer agree.

 

Support Plan

A document setting out how a person's assessed needs will be met and how their personal budget will be used. Should reflect the person's wishes, goals and preferred outcomes.

 

 

Supported Living

An arrangement where people with disabilities or mental health needs live in their own home — either alone or with others — and receive support from care workers. Different from a care home because the person holds their own tenancy.

Third Party Top Up

An additional payment made by a family member or friend when a person chooses a care home that costs more than the local authority's usual rate. The top up covers the difference between the council's rate and the care home's fee.

 

Transition

The process of moving from children's services to adult services — usually around age 18. A transition assessment should be carried out in advance to ensure continuity of care and support.

 

Tribunal

A legal body that hears appeals against decisions made by local authorities or the NHS. The First Tier Tribunal (SEND) hears appeals about EHC plans and SEND provision.

 

Universal Credit

A benefit that combines several means tested benefits into one monthly payment. May be available to people with care needs or their carers depending on circumstances.

 

Usual Cost

The amount a local authority will normally pay for a particular type of care in its area. If you choose a care home that costs more than the usual cost a third party top up may be needed.

 

Voluntary Organisation

A not for profit organisation that provides care and support services. Many voluntary organisations provide advocacy, information and practical support to people who need care.

 

Welfare Benefits

Financial support available from the government to people with disabilities, health conditions or caring responsibilities. Includes Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Carer's Allowance and Universal Credit.

 

Wellbeing

A principle at the heart of the Care Act 2014. Local authorities must promote the wellbeing of people who need care and support — including their physical, mental and emotional health, personal dignity and participation in work and leisure activities.

 

Young Carer

A child or young person under 18 who provides regular unpaid care for a family member with a disability, illness, mental health condition or substance misuse problem. Young carers have the right to a young carer's needs assessment.

 

 

Young Person's Adviser (YPA)

A dedicated worker who supports care leavers aged 16 and over with their Pathway Plan and transition to independence. Also known as a Personal Adviser (PA).