Home Care Assessment and Reablement Team (HART)

At Leicestershire County Council we are committed to enabling people to maximise their independence, have choice and remain in their own homes for as long as possible. That’s why the Council’s Adult Social Care Service has developed HART (Home Care Assessment and Reablement Team).

See the HART Reablement Team's Video "Promoting Independence, Changing Lives" (.wmv Windows Media file - approx 3mins 45 seconds)

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This leading edge service is provided to people who need support to live in their own homes. For a period of up to 6 weeks, care assistants identify what people can do for themselves and assist them to regain their skills of daily living. Support is specifically tailored to meet the needs of the individual. It focuses on people’s strengths and abilities with a strong philosophy of people setting their own goals. Care staff encourage and support people to do as much as they can for themselves - doing tasks with people rather than for them. Many older people lose confidence after an illness or accident. This service enables them to rebuild their skills and be less reliant on the more formal and traditional types of service.

HART is put into place very quickly once a difficulty has been identified therefore preventing crises occurring. It focuses on difficulties which impede people’s independence at home thereby reducing the need for people to go into a care home or hospital unnecessarily. The service enables people to have more active lives in their own communities, for longer, which is what they want.

Once HART’s intensive input is over, some people may still need on-going care and support. This is provided by our independent sector providers, but is often at a reduced level, given the skills and confidence that people have regained. Independent providers have welcomed HART as it has clarified the role of the in-house service and strengthened collaborative working.

By providing HART, the Council is making better use of resources and is reducing the cost of care in the long term. It is also working effectively and efficiently alongside community health teams within the local Primary Care Trust to provide a truly joined up approach.

Evidence suggests that HART is distinctively different from traditional home care services and really does make a difference to people’s lives.

For further information about our HART service, please contact: Leicestershire County Council, Adult Social Care Service, or your local Social Care Office