The City of Wolverhampton Council has launched new online tools which will enable adults, or their family or carers, to self assess their care and support needs, their eligibility and any financial contribution they might need to make.
It has been working with Looking Local to introduce 2 new platforms, BetterCare Support and BetterCare Finance.
BetterCare Support, features over 40 easy to understand, relatable animations that lead users through the 10 areas of the Care Act, putting people in control of assessing the areas where they feel they need support. They will be pointed towards relevant local and national information about available support services as they complete the self assessment form.
BetterCare Finance, helps people through the process of financial assessments for care, allowing users to complete their own assessments, while ensuring transparency, clarity and simplicity throughout. The completed assessment will indicate if a charge will be made for any care provided by the council.
It also features animations to guide users through their financial assessment, including information and guidance about benefits that people may be entitled to. Users can upload completed self assessment forms and evidence to support claims for financial support.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: “We are pleased to have introduced the 2 new BetterCare online self assessment tools, enabling people to investigate what help and support may be available to them, and how much it may cost.
“BetterCare Support offers a wide range of advice and guidance online, connecting people to resources and services to support any social care needs they may have, whether that is from the council or elsewhere. It allows them to assess, in their own words, their own care and support needs, and help them live their day to day life.
“Meanwhile BetterCare Finance not only speeds up the process of undertaking financial assessments, but also provides people with the information they need about the financial contribution that may be required to care and support costs to enable them to make an informed decision about whether to submit their care assessment.
“These tools are available 24/7, enabling people to carry out self assessments from the comfort of their own home, at a time that suits them.
“This is about offering people who may need care and support choice and convenience and will help speed up the process. However, I would like to reassure anyone who either does not have internet access or who would not be comfortable carrying out a self assessment online, that we will also continue to offer these services in the same ways they have previously been available.”
Paul Ryder from service user group Adult Voice and Choice said: “I feel that the self assessment is really good for considering a broad range of people’s needs, providing them with signposting to services and highlighting where specific support may be needed. It will really help people in the community to access the help and support they need.”