Self-directed Support: Draft Guidance on Care & Support - Easy-Read Summary

Section 2 The pathway through support

There are different steps on the way to getting care and support.

These steps are called The Person's Pathway. Here is how it might work for you.

Step 1: I need support

You decide you need support.

Sometimes a friend or relative will suggest that you contact social services to ask about support.

Step 2: First contact

You contact the local social work service or community health.

Sometimes, another person or organisation will contact them to ask if you can get some support.

The local social work service or community health service will decide if you can go on to the next step.

Step 3: Eligibility and assessment

The local social work or health service will check if you can get support under the different social care laws. These laws cover care and support for children, adults and carers.

If you are eligible for support, a social work or health professional will start to look at what kind of support you may need. He or she will talk to you and work with you when doing this.

Step 4: Support Planning

This step will produce a plan for how you can be supported. It will look at:

• choices
• risks
• resources.

Risks are anything that may cause harm. Managing risk is about doing something to make it less likely that anything harmful will happen.

Step 5: Deciding the final plan

You and the professional agree the final support plan.

Step 6: Support

You follow the plan and get the support you need.

This can include changing the way things are done.

Step 7: Review

After a time, there will be a review to check if your needs have changed.

This may lead to changes in your assessment or support plan.

Think about Section 2. Is it clear?