Details of the Care Act and what it means for people accessing social care and support.
Social care and support is changing for the better in Bristol
The Care Act 2014 is, after more than 60 years, set to bring far-reaching and welcome changes to social care provision in Bristol and across England.
The Act means that social work and social care is more up to date, able to help people live more independently and meet the changing needs and expectations of adults in Bristol.
What is social care and support?
Social care aims to help older and disabled people to stay as independent as possible for as long as possible, and to enjoy as much control over their own lives as possible. The Act means that not only council staff and the way we work with our partners will change, it depends on services working together.
It joins up working between health and social care services, and requires us to work closely with young people and families to ease the transition from children's to adult services.
Supporting independence is only half the story. Thousands of older and disabled people contribute every day to local communities. Many people want support to find and retain employment, and many are caring for loved ones, relatives and friends.
Not only can social care help with this, but we can also provide support with other important things. This could include help with washing and dressing, cooking meals, socialising or getting to work. We can also provide support for people who care for an older or disabled relative.
What's changing?
The new national changes are designed to help you plan for the future and put you more in control of the help you receive.
Changes in 2015
Care and support needs
There'll be a new level of care and support needs across the country to make it fairer and easier for you to plan for the future. Any decisions about your care will consider your wellbeing and any ways in which we can guide you to develop your own personal resilience. We'll also look at what's important to you and your family, so you can stay healthy, be part of the community and remain independent for longer.
Read more about needs and eligibility on GOV.UK.
Support for carers
If you help an adult friend or family member, you may be eligible for support. All carers will have the right to ask for an assessment where we'll find out more about your situation and look at ways to help you to continue to provide care and support.
Read more about advice and support for carers.
Paying for care
In Bristol we already provide an option to defer payments for care costs. However, from April 2015 this will be available across England. This means that you can delay paying for your care until you choose to sell your home or after your death.
Read more about deferred payment agreements.
What next?
We're currently working to plan these changes which enable you to have more choice and control over the care and support you'll receive. We believe that by supporting you and your carers in a manner which is personalised to you and your needs, you'll be able to remain healthier, resilient and independent for longer.
More information will be added to the adult care and health pages on our website as the Act is implemented. If you think you may be eligible for support, please contact our Care Direct service:
Online: Care direct contact and referral form
Email: adult.care@bristol.gov.uk
Telephone: 0117 922 2700
8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday (answerphone outside office hours).
If your first language is not spoken English, we use a telephone interpreting service.
Fax: 0117 903 6688
Further information and useful links
- Care and support: what's changing on GOV.UK
- Care Act factsheets on GOV.UK
- Care and support jargon buster
- The Care Act full document on GOV.UK
- The Care Act easy read version on GOV.UK
- Care and support statutory guidance on GOV.UK
- pdf Getting the right care and support for you (257 KB)
- pdf External resources (263 KB)