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  Social Services

Social Services is a department of Lancashire County Council and has a very complex structure. It is divided into “purchasing” and “providing” sections in its services for adults (Children and Family Services are separate from the adult section).  The Care Standards Commission oversees the standard of residential care.

The provider sections work with:

·      Older people

·    People with learning disabilities

·    People with physical disabilities and sensory impairments

·    People with mental health difficulties

 For further information about any of these, use the address below.

How do you get assistance from Social Services?

If you don't already have direct contact with a social worker, you need to contact the purchasing team at the address and number below and request an assessment (see below).

*        Social Services

            Unit 6

Northgate

White Lund

MORECAMBE

(            (01524) 512000

*        Social Services

White Cross

South Rd

LANCASTER           

(            (01524) 66246

They may have to transfer you or refer you to another office, which could be at Garstang, Blackpool or Preston, depending on what you need.

(             (01254) 583777 (Emergency out of hours number)

What is an assessment?

Anyone who thinks they need help in their daily living is entitled to an assessment.  Assessments are carried out by an assessing social worker who makes a formal visit to look at whether you need either Health Service care or Social Services community care.  Before an assessing Social Worker visits, it may help to prepare some information.  It sometimes helps to write a list of all the things you need help with and perhaps questions you want to ask about

·        What services are available?

·        Are there any aids or equipment that would help you?

·        What benefits are there?

·        What happens if you become too ill to manage on your own?

Assessment does not automatically result in services being provided.  If you are not satisfied by the outcome of the assessment an appeals procedure exists.  See Complaints.

Social Services have produced two leaflets on the subject:

·        A Guide to Assessment for Community Care

·        A Guide to Eligibility for Community Care

What services are available?

Community Care Services may be available to you.  These include services in your own home such as a home help or home care.  But community care services can also include places in  residential homes or nursing homes. See also Community Care.

Will I have to pay anything?

Social Services do charge for home help services.  You will need to ask about this as the charge depends on how much money you have.

When the local authority is arranging or providing a place in a home for you, it must carry out a means test of your income and capital to calculate how much you should pay towards the cost.

For more details about how this is calculated the Citizens Advice Bureau, Age Concern Fact sheets or Help the Aged Senior Line.