Fair Access to Care Services (FACS)
Adult’s Social Care is part of the Social Care and Inclusion directorate within Walsall Council. Each year, the council provides an amount of money to help people in Walsall who need social care. Adult’s Social Care cannot meet every need of every person in Walsall, so we have ‘eligibility criteria’ to help us decide who needs our help the most.
How do I find out about getting help from social care?
To find out about getting services from social care you first need to contact us on 0845 111 2922. Someone can do this for you, if you give them permission. We will discuss your situation with you and provide you with information, advice and signposting at any time. If you wish, we can also arrange a social care assessment of your needs. We will talk to you about what help you feel you need.
Everyone can have a social care assessment and information, advice and signposting. To find out more about information, advice and support that are available to all throughout Walsall, go to www.walsall.gov.uk/helpinthecommunity.
If someone asks for help in an emergency or crisis, we will help immediately. Once the crisis has passed, we will carry out a social care assessment of your needs and then decide if you we are able to offer you social care services.
What is Fair Access to Care Services?
Fair Access to Care Services is a set of national guidelines that helps us spend our money fairly and decide who can get a service.
We will look at all areas of your life and ensure that we take your views fully into account.
We may need to contact other people who know you, such as your family, your doctor or a nurse. We will not do this without your permission. We keep all of your details confidential. Once we have assessed your needs, we will use the Fair Access to Care Services guidelines to decide whether your independence and safety is at a low, moderate, substantial or critical risk level. In Walsall, we can provide or arrange services for people in the substantial or critical Fair Access to Care Services bands. An explanation of the low, moderate, substantial or critical risk levels is below.
Critical
- for people with the most severe or urgent needs. For example, where there is immediate risk of significant impairment to health or major harm/danger to yourself or others, or major risk to independence now or in the next few days.
Substantial
- for people whose needs are serious, but not critical. For example, where there is the risk to independence or safety now or within three months.
Moderate
- for people who have needs, but can manage moderately well. For example, where there is risk of some impairment to health and wellbeing and some risk to independence within the next 12 months.
Low
- for people who have slight needs and can manage most aspects of daily living. For example, where there is little or low risk to independence.
You can view the national Fair Access to Care Services guidance from the Department of Health website. Go to www.dh.gov.uk and type FairAccess to Care Services into the search box.
Next steps
For people who have critical or substantial needs, our Self Directed Support fact sheets explain what happens after the social care assessment.
Want to feedback?
If you would like to comment about any of our services or make a compliment or complaint, please contact our customer care team using the details below:
Customer Care Team
The Loft, Council House, Lichfield Street, Walsall WS1 1TW
Telephone 01922 650487
Email customercareteamsocialcare@walsall.gov.uk
Website http://www.walsall.gov.uk/commentsandcomplaints
Other useful fact sheets and leaflets
You can download all of our fact sheets and leaflets from www.walsall.gov.uk/factsheets. If you would like a copy of any of our factsheets you can request them from our initial intake and assessment team. Their details are below.
Contact us
For any queries 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including bank holidays and weekends contact us using the details below. You can also use these details if you would like this information in another format or language.
Telephone 0845 111 2922
Fax 01543 372947
Textphone 0845 111 2910
SMS text 07913 629085
Address 6 Brownhills Road, Walsall Wood, Walsall WS8 7BS
Email initialintake@walsall.gov.uk
Website www.walsall.gov.uk/social_care_and_health
This page was last updated on 30 January 2012