'Have your say' on fair access to social care services
31 March 2008
The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) is inviting
people to ‘have their say’ about the issues and problems associated
with the current system for deciding who is eligible for council
funding and support for social care services.
In its State of Social Care 2006-07 report in January CSCI
revealed that most councils now only help people with ‘substantial’
or ‘critical’ needs, leaving many needing help to fend for
themselves or rely on friends and family for support.
Care Services Minister, Ivan Lewis, asked CSCI to carry out a
review looking at how the current system of eligibility for social
care, called ‘Fair Access to Care Services’ or FACS, could be
improved.
CSCI Chair Dame Denise Platt said:
“CSCI’s starting point in conducting this review will be to
consider the experiences of those people who have been through the
FACS process. We very much want to hear from those people who use
services as well as their carers, friends and families.”
“It is vital that we have a fair system that is
transparent.”
On 1 April, CSCI will launch an online survey, which will seek
views and experiences from the public, people who use care services
and all interested parties including council representatives,
providers, voluntary and community organisations. This survey will
be on our website until 9 May. Anyone with an interest in social
care can also send us written submissions with their ideas for
change.
Also on 1 April, we are holding a national event, which will aim
to encourage debate between people who use services, carers,
stakeholders’ representatives, providers and councils on flaws in
the current system and how a fairer system might look in
future.
The Government has asked the Commission to report back with
recommendations on its findings by 15 September.
Ends
Notes for Editors
The survey, and full details about written submissions, will be
available on this website from 1 April 2008.
Written submissions can be emailed to:
Read more about how to have your
say.