Who qualifies for help?

We receive a high volume of referrals for community care services.  We need to be absolutely certain that those people in the greatest need, and at most risk, are the first to receive services.  We also need to ensure that everyone asking for a service is dealt with fairly, and that everyone understands the decisions made and why.

We only have a set amount of money to provide services.

We have therefore drawn up eligibility criteria for services.  These are based on:

• Your, or the child’s, needs,
• The risk of harm you, or others, may suffer, and
• The risk of loss of independence, if the relevant needs for help are not met.

The greater the risk, the higher the priority we will attach to your needs.

Those needs eligible for services, and the urgency they must be met, are decided at and after the assessment.  Your views, and the views of anyone looking after you, are considered.  A carer’s assessment can be carried out with anyone who you rely on for help.

We regularly review decisions about your and your carer’s needs and the services provided.

• Priority
• Who is not likely to qualify for a service?
• What if I disagree with the decision?

 

Priority

Everyone who asks for community care services is given a priority.

There are four categories of priority:

• Emergency or urgent
• High
• Medium
• Low

Emergency or urgent

You, or others, may be at immediate risk of loss of independence or serious harm.  There may be immediate risk of your care arrangements breaking down, or your main carers being unable to continue to do what they do for you.  For these needs, we will provide or arrange services immediately.

For example:

• Your main carer is taken ill or admitted to hospital, and you have no-one available to help you
• You are suddenly taken ill or have an accident, and you need help immediately

High

You, or others, may be at risk of serious harm or loss of independence.  There may be a serious risk of your care arrangements breaking down, or your main carer being unable to continue to do what they do for you.  For these needs, we will provide or arrange appropriate services as quickly as possible.

For example:

• You have a severe and enduring mental illness, which could result in you harming yourself or others and you need intensive support services
• You have a severe and profound disability, and require access to specialist day services providing intensive support
• You have significant difficulty in coping with daily living
• You are terminally ill or have a progressive and/or seriously deteriorating disability condition
• You have recently been discharged from hospital after major surgery, serious illness or trauma

Medium

You, or others, may be at risk of some harm or loss of independence.  There may be a risk of your main carer having difficulties in continuing to do all that they do for you.  For these needs, we will provide or arrange appropriate services, if resources to do so are available.  If resources to do so are not available, we will seek alternative ways to meet these needs.

For example:

• You have significant difficulty in coping with daily living
• You are looked after by a carer, and this is likely to break down in the near future
• You are in hospital and cannot be discharged unless services are provided

Low

You, or others, are at low risk of harm or loss of independence.  For these needs, we will not provide services.  However, we will offer advice and information about alternative sources of support.

For example:

• You have some difficulty coping with daily living
• You need support and motivation to undertake your own care
• Your mental health difficulties are such that your care needs can be met through the provision of non-specialist services
• You are having bathing difficulties only

You may have a number of needs for support, and it is important to remember that your needs may fall into a number of different categories.  You may have high priority needs, medium priority needs, and low priority needs.

If services must be provided as a result of statutory order, such as that from a court or Children’s Hearing, these eligibility criteria will not apply.

For more information on eligibility criteria, read our leaflet:

• Eligibility for Community Care and Children’s Services in Aberdeenshire (pdf 323kb)

 

Who is not likely to qualify for a service?

You will not qualify for a service if

• You can manage your personal care and carry out household tasks safely and with confidence
• Your only need for support is a household service
• Your needs can be met more appropriately by other services

 

What if I disagree with the decision?

If you do not agree with the decisions made about the priority of your needs, please discuss this with the worker carrying out the assessment.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome, ask to have your case considered by the worker’s line manager.  They will look at your case to see if the eligibility criteria have been applied properly.

This does not replace our complaints procedure.