We all want control over and within our lives and wish to live life as independently and safe as possible, but due to illness or special circumstances, sometimes we need extra support.
Social Services have a duty to assess your needs and to ensure that your needs are met in the best way for you. The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (opens in new tab) is a legal framework that gives you more of a say on the care and support that you receive. It provides more emphasis on promoting people’s independence to give them more control.
Frequently asked questions
Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Social work Practitioners work within the Council’s Social Services. The most appropriate workers may visit you to complete an assessment where they will have a collaborative conversation with you.
Following an assessment, if you meet the below criteria, Social Services will work with you by supporting you, arranging or providing support for you (a cost will usually occur with this):
If you experience one or more of these difficulties relating to physical illness, age, disability or other similar circumstances:
- Completing self-care tasks (e.g. eating or drinking; maintaining personal hygiene, getting up and dressed, moving around your home; preparing meals; keeping your home clean and hygienic) or domestic tasks.
- Develop and maintain social relationships and involvement in the community.
- Ability to communicate
- Protection from abuse or neglect
- Involvement in work, education, learning or in leisure activities.
- Maintain or develop family or other personal relationships
Social Services will only be able to support you with the above if the need is unable to be met:
- By yourself; or
- With care and support from others who are willing to provide this; or
- With community services’ support; and
- That you’re unlikely to ensure one or more of your personal outcomes unless the Council provides or arranges care and support to meet the need; or that Cyngor Gwynedd enables the need to be met by making direct payments.
In an emergency we will always take action or ensure that other services are available to provide emergency assistance (if an emergency occurs outside normal work hours please call 01248 353 551).
By asking us for help, we will need to carry out an assessment to understand your needs and the kind of help we can offer.
When we get to know you any your circumstances (through the assessment) we will consider:
- whether you’re able to make decisions and choices
- whether we need to safeguard you from yourself or others
- whether you’re able to complete daily activities; including looking after yourself (cleaning, cooking, eating, moving around etc.) and looking after your home
- whether you need support to enjoy a social life, with family or within the community.
Then, we will need to determine the risks involved if no support is available, and the level of support will depend on the risk level. This may sound clinical but we must follow the rules and ensure that everybody is treated fairly.
In other words, we will be concerned if:
- you’re unable to do day to day things to maintain your independence
- you find it difficult to cope; e.g. you (or a carer) are at risk of getting injured or there is risk that current arrangements will break down at home.
- you have been subject to abuse or neglect, or there is a risk of this happening
- your life is in danger in any way
Whoever completes your assessment will determine if you’re eligible to receive support and will explain their decision to you. If you are eligible, we will arrange support for you.
If you were not able receive support and that your circumstances change, you can request another assessment.
If you need support and we’re unable to provide you with this, we will give you information about services that you can use. You may need to pay for a service by a private company (for things such as cleaning the house, shopping, equipment or personal care).
Even though we work alongside the Gwynedd Health Service and other Council services, as well as voluntary and private services, remember that these are all separate services and that they are not the responsibility of the Adult Care Services.
If you do not agree with our decisions we make about your needs or the services we offer you, explain to the individual that completes your assessment with you.
If you do not reach an agreement, ask for the name of the manager and talk to him/her.
If you are still unhappy, let us know.
If you need support because you have been affected by an acute non-long-term condition (e.g. a water infection), or if you need support within two weeks of returning from hospital please contact the DHB Community Therapy Team.
- Arfon: 03000 851 591
- Dwyfor: 03000 850076
- Eifionydd and North Meirionnydd: 01766 510300
- South Meirionydd: 03000 852488 / 03000 852489.