Care at home

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Care at Home (Domiciliary Care) Fact Sheet
Last updated:  September 2010

Introduction

Domiciliary care, sometimes known as home care, covers a number of different services available to you in your home and is provided so that you can remain as independent as possible. You may need help for a short time to help you manage, or sometimes on a longer-term basis.

What services are there?

Depending on your circumstances and needs, we may be able to help you with personal care and managing at home. We can provide you with services to help you get up and dressed, as well as other personal or practical support.

We consider each request for support carefully and use national guidelines from the Department of Health called Fair Access to Care Services. See our fact sheet on Assessment and Fair Access to Care. If it appears you may need a service, you will be offered an assessment.

Direct payments

If you are assessed as needing domiciliary care, we will talk to you about direct payments. This is money given to you by Wiltshire Council so that you can buy the support you need to live independently, rather than having support arranged by the council. You can use a direct payment to arrange the type of support you would prefer.

For more information, see our direct payments fact sheet.

What can you expect from the care agency?

If you are assessed as needing domiciliary care and decide you would like the council to arrange this for you, someone from adult care services will arrange for a care agency to visit you. You will have a care plan drawn up by the agency which the carers will work to.

You should expect your personal preferences, dignity and privacy to be respected. Carers should be fully trained or in on-going training. Carers will have been checked with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). Care agencies are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Paying for domiciliary care

The cost of any domiciliary care you get depends on your income and savings. We operate a fair system for charging for services based on national guidelines which takes account of your income and savings. For information about charging, see our charges and benefits fact sheet.

Changes to domiciliary care arrangements

We will not end or change your domiciliary care unless we have discussed it with you first. If you wish, you can involve other people such as your family or a friend.

Can I change my carer?

You have a right to expect to get on well with your carer(s). If you are not happy with them, contact the care agency.

Can I stop my domiciliary care?

You can stop your domiciliary care, whether it is because you will be away for a short time, or because you want to end it permanently, but you should talk it over with us first. It will help us if you can give us at least two days’ notice.

If you are going on holiday, staying with friends or relatives, or will be out when your domiciliary care is due, please tell your carer at least two days in advance if possible. You should be able to rearrange the time of your care if you tell them early enough.

What happens in an emergency?

All domiciliary care agencies and carers will know what to do in an emergency. This may mean providing extra service during a planned visit to respond to an immediate problem or need, or by contacting the council’s emergency services.

Making a complaint

If you are unhappy with the service you are receiving you should first discuss the problem with your carer or the care agency. If you tell them what is worrying you, they will try to find a solution. If the problem persists, please let us know.

Further help and information

Whatever your financial situation, Wiltshire Council social care customer advisors are there to help you to discuss your circumstances and consider the choices you can make.

For more information about the range of care services available in Wiltshire, see the Wiltshire Care Services Directory 2010/11 available online at the Care Choices website.

Last updated: 19 April 2012