Jargon Buster

Simply select a term from the list below for an easy read explanation.

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Active Lives

Active Lives is the Directorate's ten year vision. It was developed with service users and outlines the outcomes we are seeking to achieve.

Active Lives for Adults

Active Lives for Adults (ALfA ) is the modernisation programme which will help us to deliver the ten year vision. It includes such things as the Good Day Programme, Whole Systems Demonstrator Programme, Older People's Modernisation and the Self Directed Support Project.

Advocacy

Advocacy is representation of someone else's interests regardless of your own, or supporting someone to speak up for themselves, so that disabled people can secure their full rights; have their independent opinion heard and achieve equality and control over their lives.

An advocate works to enable a disabled person's voice to be heard. Support workers help people to be good self advocates rather than provide independent advocacy.

Assessment

The process whereby the needs of a person are identified and their impact on independence, safety, wellbeing and quality of life is evaluated so that appropriate action can be planned. Since assessments can involve more than one professional, it is likely that a single referral can lead to one or more assessments.

Brokerage and co-ordination

A number of models of brokerage have been developed across the UK. Brokers provide a skilled, technical service that is distinct from the role of advocate and separate from the role of assessment (and allocation of money). Brokers are a key element in ensuring that people have choice and control through:

  • encouraging self-determination,
  • providing quality advice, information and guidance,
  • assisting people to develop, write, cost and implement their support plan,
  • assisting people to navigate the system.

KCC's brokerage pilot ended 31 March 2010.

Care Manager, Social Worker or Care-Co-ordinator

Ensures your needs are properly assessed and met.

They decide how many hours are appropriate and the funding available. They decide on the amount of Direct Payment.

Carer/care giver

Somebody who looks after another person such as helping them get around, prepare meals, pay bills, personal care, cleaning activities, because they can not do it on their own. The person is over 18 and the care they provide is not charged for. A person providing this type of care who is under 18 years of age is a young carer.

Client Money Service (CMS)

A virtual, individual bank account, held within KCC. It is suitable to use as a bank account for those who can not open an account due to no credit references for example or a history of debts.

Co-ordinators (Employment Support)

Co-ordinators are employed and trained by KCC to provide a personalised and individual support service. They are part of Co-ordination teams dedicated and experienced in all aspects of Direct Payments and other funding for self-directed support.

Comprehensive assessment

Involves specialist assessment of all, or most of, the domains of single assessment process (SAP).

Contact Assessment

Basic information gathered at the first point of contact that identifies the nature of the presenting problem(s) and the exploration of wider health social care and environmental needs.

Day Care

In your local area, there may be a number of day care centres providing a place for people to meet, be socially active, and to find a range of care services. There may be a cost to the individual for transport, meals, use of the facility depending on the person's income and assessment by their local authority.

Disabled/ disability

Kent's Direct Payment Support Scheme uses a definition of disability based on the idea that it is society which disables people.

For example: A person who has impairment and cannot get into a building because of steps is disabled by society because the building doesn't have any alternatives such as a ramp.

Disabled Person

Direct Payments are available for people who meet the definition in section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948. This includes people who have any kind of impairment caused by physical disabilities, sensory impairments, learning disability, or are affected by an illness or condition (such as mental illness, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, or a heart condition).

Enablement/re-enablement

You may see both of the terms re-enablement and enablement in reference to SDS. These mean the same thing and are interchangeable. Re-enablement is part of the assessment process and is an intensive, short term service of four to six weeks designed to offer support to people, who by reason of injury, frailty or illness wish to regain or extend their independent living skills. Re-enablement is an essential element of Self-Directed support.

Enduring Power of Attorney

The Enduring powers of Attorney Act 1985 provides for you to authorise someone to look after your affairs by signing an enduring power of attorney while capable. The power would come into use at a time specified by you, such as when you become incapable of managing your own affairs. If you give a Power, and later become incapable, the Court of Protection has to be informed, and the Power registered with the court.

Gateway

These are centres that offer information, guidance and advice from statutory and non-statutory organisations and help to support people who want to stay living independently. They can get housing advice, pay council bills and much more including free internet access and learning courses.

Good Day Programme

The programme is "about ensuring better days" for people with learning disabilities through the exercise of personal choice and control over their activities, with support if necessary, to enable them to lead a full and meaningful life.

Impairment

Under the Social Model, disabled people have impairments which affect their bodies and the disability is the disadvantage or lack of opportunity caused by the social barriers which society places in their way.

Independent Living

Independent Living is a philosophy and a movement of disabled people who work for self-determination, equal opportunities and self-respect. It means being able to live the life you want with as much support/assistance as you need.

Individual Budget

Funding from a variety of sources that is brought together into one bank account. This allows greater choice and control over many aspects of life e.g. housing, community care, health, benefits, income, grants etc. The person can choose to use their individual budget themselves or a third party can manage the funds for them.

Overview Assessment

A more rounded and in depth assessment, which includes all or most of the domains of the Single Assessment Process. This is to ensure that treatable conditions do not go undetected or misdiagnosed, or to take a preventative approach.

Personal Assistance

The personal help or support a disabled person requires in order to achieve the same range of opportunities and activities as a non-disabled person, both at home and away from it.

Personal Assistant (PA)

Also known as Personal Care Assistant or Carer. Someone who assists a disabled person to carry out normal day to day activities as directed by the disabled person. The disabled person remains in control of how assistance is provided, where and when.

Personal Budget

Personal Budget is the amount of money allocated to a person as the result of a social services assessment. The allocation of this money will be transparent. A social services personal budget could be part of an individual budget in the future. Individual budgets bring together the money allocated to a person from a variety of sources, for example Supporting People.

Power of Attorney

An ordinary Power of Attorney is a document whereby a person (the donor) gives another person the power to act on his/her behalf with regards to his/her financial affairs. If you want the Power of Attorney to remain valid even if you become mentally incapable then you need an Enduring Power of Attorney.

Respite Care

Respite care can mean a temporary change in either the care setting or the people who provide care services. Respite gives a break, both to the person receiving care and person(s) providing support, in a home care or community care setting for days, night or weekends

Self Directed Support (SDS)

Self Directed Support is the principle which drives all the modernisation projects in KASS. SDS is about ensuring that everyone has choice and control over the support they receive. This may mean that they self manage the support, but they might also choose to have somebody else (including KASS) manage it for them - this is still Self Directed Support. Find out more about **Self Directed Support**.

Single Assessment Process

The Single Assessment Process is a national framework for assessment across health and social care which ensures that:

  • the assessment is kept in proportion to people's needs,
  • agencies do not duplicate each other's assessments,
  • professionals contribute to assessments in the most effective way.

The SDS project will not deliver SAP, but the SDS project will be delivered in line with SAP principles, so the following terms will be useful.

There are 4 levels of assessment within SAP:

  • The Contact assessment - a means of identifying basic details; such service user and care perspective, what the solution might be and where next.
  • The overview assessment - a more rounded and holistic assessment to ensure that treatable conditions do not go undetected or misdiagnosed.
  • The specialist assessment - a more in depth assessment when it is appropriate and will probably involve a range of professionals.
  • The comprehensive assessment, where complex needs are identified at overview or specialist, often used when considering a nursing home placement.

Social services assessment

The assessment which relates to social care need.

Specialist Assessment

Exploration of specific user needs in detail, which may have been indicated by a completed contact assessment and/or overview assessment. This will confirm the presence, extent, cause and likely development of a significant need.

Trust Fund

Independent Living Trusts (ILTs) offer the means for people with learning difficulties and others to gain the choice, control and independence they want over their services and support. A group of people (Trustees), with user control, assist in the management of money, paying PAs etc.

 

 

Contact us

Kent County Council
County Hall
Maidstone
Kent ME14 1XQ

Telephone 08458 247 100

Image: text phone Textphone:
08458 247 905

 Envelope county.hall@kent.gov.uk

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