Care Brokerage Procedure

1. Using this Procedure

This procedure should be used;

  1. By frontline practitioners working in all teams; when
  2. Any Care and Support Plan/Support Plan/Urgent support has been signed off; to
  3. Understand and use the range of local processes for arranging the required services and support; and
  4. Work effectively alongside the Care Brokerage team.

Occupational Therapists should refer to the 'Meeting Needs' area of their service homepage for bespoke information about arranging equipment and adaptations.

Although this procedure may be helpful to those people based within the Care Brokerage team, it does not provide specific guidance about arranging, monitoring or reviewing contracts, or any other associated actions that may be required. Anyone carrying out such actions should refer to available local processes.

2. Local Processes, Guidance and Supporting Documents

You are required to follow all available local processes and guidance when arranging services.

This can be accessed in the Local Resources area of this procedures site by clicking here.

If you require support to locate or follow a process effectively please speak to your line manager in the first instance.

3. Arranging Generic Services

Generic services are those that can generally meet the needs of all adults, and as such should always be considered before proceeding to consider any more specialist service.

4. Arranging Specialist Services

Specialist services are those that are required when a person has complex or specific needs that cannot be met by generic services. Specialist services are normally only arranged by;

  1. The Life Planning Team;
  2. Mental Health teams.

Services include;

  1. Specialist Homecare;
  2. Specialist residential or nursing care;
  3. Supported Living;
  4. Specialist respite; and
  5. Specialist day services.

When arranging specialist services practitioners should make direct contact with providers who;

  1. Are likely to be able to meet the person's needs;
  2. Are likely to have availability;
  3. Are appropriate, in terms of meeting the contractual requirements of the Local Authority; and
  4. Are able to provide the required services within the personal budget amount.

Where there is more than one specialist service available the final decision about who provides the service should rest with the person who will be receiving it.

When a service has been agreed you should;

  1. Agree a start date;
  2. Provide relevant information to the provider;
  3. Complete the service agreement; and
  4. Notify the financial assessment team.

5. Carers Services

The Local Authority supports carers through the provision of a Direct Payment. The process of arranging a carers Direct Payment is the same as the process for arranging any other Direct Payment.

Click here to access the Direct Payments Procedure.

All other services to support carers are provided to the person they care for, for example;

  1. Respite;
  2. Additional Homecare;
  3. Day services.