Home Support Services

Care at home includes a range of services specifically aimed at supporting people in the community for as long as is practical and safe to do so.

We provide services through contracts with approved providers in the independent sector or through our own in-house services. Access to services is via a social care assessment by the Care Management Team.

Once an assessment of need has been completed by a care manager and agreed with the individual, arrangements for the appropriate service to commence are made. The services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to support a wide range of people.

As people become older, they sometimes need help to maintain their lifestyle

Young physically disabled people who, through either ill health or accident, are in need of assistance, either temporarily or permanently

People with learning disabilities who may need some practical support to live independently in the community

Support to parents and children within families

Support to teenagers leaving residential care to live alone

People with mental health problems, whether they are suffering from depression, memory loss or mental frailty, often need the day structured for them and to receive support, assistance and encouragement

Support is also provided to carers

Services available

Personal care
Practical help – including housework, shopping and pension collecting, laundry
Family support – can include transporting children to and from school
Child care/family support
Night visits/sitting
Meals service – appetites frozen meals, hot meals and HSW’s preparing meals in clients home
Laundry service (inco laundry)
Quick Response Team

Our team of staff are trained specifically with children within families, people with mental health problems and people with learning disabilities. We also work with service users suffering from dementia.

Enabling and encouraging staff to acquire skills and knowledge is a priority within Bracknell Forest Borough Council. All staff undergo an induction period followed by more specific training. By this means, we ensure that our teams of trained, experienced staff are providing good quality services that meet a wide range of individual social care needs.

The In House Service currently provides for over 162 people to receive a total of up to approximately 1030 hours of direct care services each week from a team of 62 staff (24.00 fte).

Direct Care Services are the responsibility of the team manager and are organised and managed by two home support managers supported by five care co-ordinators. Co-ordinators act as a link between office based managers and teams of staff working in local communities.

We also have three dedicated admin staff and a part time duty care co-ordinator. It is the job of these four people to support the managers and care co-ordinators.

The head of Long Term Care, within the Community Care Management Team, has overall responsibility for service provision, purchased services and development of services to meet the ever-changing needs of people at home.

Services by the independent sector suppliers currently provide approximately 3200 hours of direct care each week. An accreditation process is in place and contractual arrangements have been in place since 1 April 2000. All Suppliers of personal and social care services to Bracknell Forest Council’s clients undergo a formal appraisal which covers every aspect of their business.

All suppliers are subject to the same rigorous vetting prior to being accredited. Every precaution is taken to ensure that only suitably qualified organisations are accredited. This includes their ability to comply with and sign up to the service specification which includes standards of care provision and staff training.

There are benefits for both clients and the Council through these formal contractual arrangements. Consistent service quality and delivery can be achieved and maintained. Goals for continuous improvement are set and measured. The Council can obtain best value and care for those who use Home Support Services.

Accountability

The In House Service and every domiciliary provider will undergo registration and inspection on a yearly basis by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). CSCI are available to offer advice, receive compliments and complaints.