Home Care Services

Home Care – What is it?

Home Care services offer practical help and support to people at home with essential daily tasks they are unable to manage safely for themselves. For example, this help may be in the form of assisting you to get up or go to bed, to get washed or to get dressed, or help with shopping, laundry, etc.

We aim always to help people live as independently as possible and to encourage people to regain skills they may have lost because of illness or disability. We have an in-house Homecare Assessment and Reablement team (HART) which provides a reablement service for up to six weeks to people newly assessed as needing support at home.

If, after the team’s involvement, you still need support at home then you can arrange this yourself using Direct Payments or we will arrange the service to be provided to you by a private or voluntary organisation.

During February and March 2006 the Adult Social Care Service carried out a survey of older people who are receiving home care. The results of this survey will be used by the Adult Social Care Service, the Commission for Social Care Inspection and the Department of Health to see how happy people are with services and whether improvements are needed.

Further information about the Older Person's Home Care Survey and the resulting Older Persons Home Care Report (.pdf file 814kb).

Cost Implications

Please see Charges for Home Care and Charges for Social Care

Self Funding

If you decide to arrange your own home care services, rather than have an assessment of your needs, there is infomation that will assist you:-

Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) Booklet.- Social Care - Choosing the right service for you
A Directory of Care Homes in Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland, which includes details of Home Care Agencies in each area can be obtained from your local Social Care Office

How do I get help?

Initially you will need to speak to a Duty Officer who will to discuss your circumstances with you. Social Care Services have a criteria for services it provides. We may offer you advice and information or, if required, arrange an assessment of your needs at home. You can arrange for a family member, carer or friend to be present when we visit. We will talk to you about what difficulties you have with every day tasks and how best we may be able to help you.

Who to contact?

Your local Social Care office. You will need to ask for the Adult Access Duty Officer.

Also see the Support at Home Publications page.