Anyone who feels that they need help from Social Services. We help and support people who are vulnerable or people who are at risk. This may be from themselves or from other people. We also help people who are isolated or need support in times of crisis. The (Emergency Duty Service (EDS) does not take the place of the Police or Ambulance Services. If your health or safety is at risk then call the traditional emergency services by dialling 999. If needed we can be called after this.
The Emergency Duty Service also takes calls from members of the public who may have concerns for the welfare of a child or vulnerable person. The Call Centre will need a name and number for us to ring back. All information given to us is treated in confidence. If there are child protection concerns we may need to share information with other professionals but will ask permission from the person giving us the information before we do this. Sometimes this is not always possible as we are an emergency service, and we have to act quickly. Our main priority is that the individual concerned is safe.
An emergency is a situation that cannot safely wait until the daytime offices are open. an emergency is not something that is already being dealt with by the daytime service, unless something has happened that cannot wait until the following day.
We know that if you are contacting the emergency duty service (EDT) you may be worried, angry or upset. Control Centre staff are aware of this. They will try to take your details and put you through to us as quickly as possible. Please be patient while they take your basic information. This information will then be passed on to us and we will call you back.
We keep a record of the reasons for contacting us. The EDT Team will do whatever is necessary to overcome the emergency, and then pass your information onto the daytime Social Services Team.
YES, although once we have helped you overcome the emergency, daytime services may need to look at any extra help you may need. This is called an assessment. This may suggest services that require you to pay some of the costs. This will be explained by daytime services if that time arises
Sometimes we have to place someone in a residential setting that may need to be paid for. Our main aim is the safety of vulnerable people, so paying for such services is something that can be sorted out by daytime services the following day.
We have our own compliments/complaints procedure which is managed by the Customer Services Officer.
If you have a complaint, compliment or comment to make about the way the services are provided, you can telephone 01375 652612 and speak to our Customer Services Officer. Alternatively you can email social.care@thurrock.gov.uk
You, or someone you know such as your doctor may have asked us to provide you with help from Community Care Services. Before we can help you, we need to know more about you. This will involve collecting information, talking it through with you and agreeing what might be done.
It's also about identifying what you and your carer are able to do, building on those strengths and abilities and how you can best use them to help yourself.
If your assessment shows you need the help of services, we will create your Care Plan.
A Care Manager - who will be a professional person such as a Social Worker or a Nurse - will take responsibility for your assessment. This person will make sure all the right agencies work together so that your needs are understood properly and that the services you need from each agency are identified.
The assessment of your difficulties, how these can be improved and decisions about the services you need will fully reflect all your views about them.
You will be given a written copy of your Care Plan.
Your Care Plan will take into account all issues that are important to you that relate to your culture, religion and gender.
We will monitor your Care Plan with you to make sure it is working effectively. We will agree with you how that will be done. We will also fully review it with you at least once a year.
First, speak to your Care Manager. The Carers Assessment leaflet explains how they agree the needs with you. For residential short breaks, they will make the arrangements once your needs have been agreed.
For outreach and day service short breaks, the Care Manager will agree in broad terms what your needs are and put these into your support plan. This may set out any routine short breaks that have been agreed. However, it will also show how you might make use of more on-the-spot requests. You will then be able to agree with the service provider how and when the service will be delivered.
You may receive a home care service that will do your housework or carry out personal care tasks for the person you care for. Also he/she may attend a day centre to share the care with you on a routine basis and to directly meet the needs of the person you care for.
These services are not instead of short breaks. If your assessments show that you need them all, then we will aim to provide them for you.
Carers assessments have two parts:
The worker assessing the needs of the person you care for will agree with you what is appropriate for you to do. This will look at both practical and emotional aspects of the caring role.
This will look at the way the caring role is having an effect on your own life. This can include the impact it has on your working life, or on your leisure life, and your needs for time to yourself.
This part of the assessment will be offered to carers who offer regular and substantial care.
Service User Rights under the Data Protection Act 1998
Anyone who has a personal record can apply. This includes children and young people, so long as each person understands what this means. We need to know what help you have had, so that we can find the records you are asking to see. You need to write to the Customer Services Officer to ask for Access to your records. The address is at the back of this leaflet. If this is difficult for you, let us know and we will help you.
The Customer Services Officer will make sure that your request is handled properly. They will write back to you within five days of receiving your letter.
You may want someone to see your records on your behalf. If so, they also have to apply in writing. Once we are satisfied that they are acting for you, we can begin the process. This person can be anyone you name, but they will have to give proof of identity.
Parents can apply for children who may not understand about having access to their records, however, we need to be sure that they are acting in their child's best interests.
Some adults may not understand about having access to their records, so people acting under:
Whoever applies and is accepted, we will arrange for your records to be seen within 40 days of being asked.
What you may see:
The Care Trust will be a single body; board members will approve the set up with the Secretary of State. Decisions need to be made concerning which budgets will be pooled.
Shared Care provides a crucial support service to children with disabilities and their families. It is a partnership between the family of a child with disabilities and the Shared Carer. It can take place in the home of the Shared Carer or in the child's home. It could also involve taking a child or young person out and about in the community involving them in activities just like any other child.
For Children...
Shared Care offers positive new experiences. It is an opportunity for children to spend time with people outside their family, make new friends and broaden social horizons. It can make a really big difference to the life of a child with disabilities.
For Families...
Shared Care can provide a welcome break for families of a child with disabilities, whether it is for a few hours or a few days. Caring for a child with disabilities can be tough and sometimes really exhausting. Shared Care can make the difference between parents coping and not being able to carry on. It can provide a break for parents and also for brothers and sisters. Parents of children with disabilities are given the opportunity to meet the Shared Carers before planned periods of care begin.
One parent said, "It gives me a few hours to do what I want to do. I've got a little bit of time for me and am able to cope if I feel refreshed."
For Shared Carers...
It is the joy of helping a young person with a disability to fulfil their potential, gain confidence and make new friends. Many Shared Care partnerships last for a number of years and often involve a close relationship between the two families. In most circumstances children spend time with the same Shared Carer or family each time Shared Care takes place.
If you are interested in Shared Care for your child or would like to become a Shared Carer we would very much like to hear from you.
Your local Shared Care Co-ordinator, can be contacted on: 01375 652625
Thurrock Council Social Care
P.O. Box 140
Civic Offices
New Road
Grays
Essex
RM17 6JT
Anyone who can provide care and commitment to a child or children who are from a variety of backgrounds. Married or unmarried; with or without a partner, with or without children; working or not working. You don't need to be rich or own your own home
And you have to give love and commitment, patience and understanding.
For a friendly informal chat, please call our Family Placements Team on:
(01375) 652617 or 652618
or write to:
Family Placement Team
Social Care Department
Civic Offices
New Road
Grays
RM17 6TJ
Or email us for an information pack via: fostering.adoption@thurrock.gov.uk
Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday 9:00am - 5:15pm
Friday 9:00am - 4:45pm
Office Hours Telephone: (01375) 652635
If you would like more information about Homecare services you can contact:
The Homecare Business Unit
Social Services Department
Thurrock Council
Civic Offices
New Road
Grays
Essex
RM17 6TJ
Telephone: (01375) 652860
This is made clearer during your assessment, which also covers your ability to pay for the services. Some people do not have to pay. If you do have to pay a charge, monthly bills are prepared by Thurrock Council. If you disagree with the charge, there is an appeals procedure.
People who are having difficulty coping with these tasks, often contact Social Services to find out about help that may be available. We also get referrals from Doctors, Hospitals, District Nurses, as well as family and friends asking us to provide services to people in need.
Before we can offer services to you we need to carry out an assessment. This is carried out by someone from Social Services called an assessor. They gather information about any difficulties you an your carer may be having and take into account any help being received from friends, relatives and neighbours.
Residential Homes provide 24hr care for people who are too disabled or frail to live safely in their own homes. If you are disabled or frail and do not need nursing care, then a Residential Care Home may be right for you.
We aim to offer you a choice, as long as there are places available to meet your needs at the price we have agreed. A list of Registered Homes can be found in the Directory of Social Services. Ask your Care Manager for a copy, or call the Communication and Public Information Officer on: (01375) 652438.
We can advise you of the Homes best suited to your needs. You can visit before you make your decision. If you want to move between Homes, this can be arranged through your Care Manager, but you may have to be put on a waiting list if a place is not immediately available.
Commission for Social Care Inspection
Looking for a care home? Get free, independent reports on the quality of your local homes and care services to help you make an informed choice. Visit: www.csci.org.uk
Social Services will only pay up to the set price. If you still want to stay at that Home, someone on your behalf will have to pay the remainder of the charge. It is essential that you do not move in to the Home until we have reached all the necessary agreements about payment.
For more information contact:
The Homecare Business Unit
Social Services Department
Thurrock Council
Civic Offices
New Road
Grays
Essex
RM17 6TJ
Telephone: (01375) 652860
You may be entitled to incapacity benefit and/or income support or to Statutory Sick Pay if you are still employed.
You could claim a State Retirement Pension that may be topped up by Pension Credits.
You may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance (if under 65) or Attendance Allowance (65 and over) or be able to access the Independent Living Fund.
If you own your home, you could apply for help from income support to meet mortgage interest charges if your income is low enough. In addition, you may be able to get Council Tax Benefit to help with the Council Tax. If you rent, you could apply for Housing Benefit. If your needs relate to repairs or adaptations, your local Housing Department may be able to help through Home Repairs Loans, Renovation Loans or Disabled Facilities Grants.
You could qualify for help through Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance. If you do not qualify for either of these, you could claim incapacity benefit or income support. You could also apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant.
You can apply for Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit. In addition, if you or your partner work, you may be able to get Working Tax Credits. If you have a disabled child, you could apply for Disability Living Allowance or access the Family Fund. If your male partner works, he could claim Statutory Paternity Pay and take Statutory Paternity Leave.
If you are under 60 (women) or 65 (men), you may qualify for a Bereavement Payment. If there are children involved, you might be able to get Widowed Parent's Allowance. If you are over 45 but below pension age, you may qualify for Bereavement Allowance. If you need help with paying for funeral costs, you could apply for a Social Fund Funeral Payment.
You may qualify for help from the Social Fund. This may be a grant or loan depending on your circumstances and what it is you want. You can apply for a Budgeting Loan or a Crisis Loan or seek a Community Care Grant.
You can get a range of help if you are on income support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. You may also get this help if you are receiving Child Tax Credits or Working Tax Credits and have a low income. The sort of things you can get are free prescription charges, sight tests, free dental treatment and free milk and vitamins for children under 5.
01375 652652
01375 652359
