We explain how social services could be acting unlawfully
And we tell you what you can do about it
At Steene Law, we were horrified – though sadly not surprised – to read Age UK’s report into the deplorable state of social care in this country.
It is truly shocking that 2,000 older people’s requests for care and support are being turned down or ignored every single day.
We are sad and angry that these vulnerable elderly people are being denied the care they so desperately need.
These are people who have worked hard all their lives and have paid their taxes. They have scrimped and saved to put a little aside for a rainy day. But now, in their hour of need, they are being told that they are self-funders which means they will have to pay for all care themselves.
But the most shocking thing of all, is that many of these elderly people, regardless of the amount of money they have in the bank, are being denied their basic right to a care assessment.
Let’s be clear: this is a fundamental right and yet many elderly people are not receiving the assessments they are legally entitled to.
It is particularly frustrating to read these appalling statistics because there is a solution….
If any one of these individuals had contacted us, we could have advised them of their legal rights.
Because the simple fact is, Social Services – no matter what excuse they use – cannot refuse to carry out an assessment of a person’s needs, along with that of their carer.
If you are in this situation, you need to call Steene Law for FREE advice.
So, let’s assume that, with Steene Law’s intervention, you have ‘reminded’ Social Services of their legal duty and an assessment has now taken place.
What next? In our experience, Social Services will often offer the cheapest option to ‘manage’ care needs.
Your social worker may tell you that your loved one will either have to accept a ‘cheap and not so cheerful’ care home that falls within the local authority budget, or you will have to top-up fees yourself so that mum or dad can live in a nicer, more expensive care home.
This is yet more misinformation which, in some cases is unlawful. Many relatives do not realise that they don’t have to settle for second best.
We have been successful, on behalf of a number of clients, in eliminating the need to make substantial top-up contributions towards the cost of their care.
We have also managed to successfully argue that some clients are eligible for FREE Continuing Health Care, which means the NHS pays for all care home fees.
If your Local Authority has said your loved one is not eligible for care and support because they own their own home or have savings, you need to call us to check the facts
If you are worried about CHC or a self-funding, pick up the phone and call us.
We offer a free fact-finding telephone conversation.
Call 0203 653 0623 for a free conversation. We are available from 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.