We know that talking to our residents, that people want to live independently, in their own homes, for as long as possible. Knowsley Council is committed to delivering adult social care services as soon as possible.
We have created our “Waiting Well” guidance to help you manage your care and support needs during your wait for an assessment. The guidance provides you with information and advice and directs you towards a range of useful resources and opportunities.
Change in needs
Whilst you are waiting for a social care needs assessment your needs may change. You may need support sooner if you are unable to manage. Please contact our First Response Team on 0151 443 2600 if this happens.
Already have a package of care
If you already have a package of care in place, and you have already requested a review of your care package, but your needs have changed again since this request, please contact us to let us know on 0151 443 2600. A review is similar to a needs assessment. It will look at your current support and what your needs are.
If you are unable to make this request yourself, your carer/care provider can make this request on your behalf.
Support for Carers
If your unpaid carer needs support to help you, they can ask for a carer’s assessment, to request a Carers assessment contact our First Response Team on 0151 443 2600. You can also contact Knowsley Carers Hub on 0151 549 1412 or visit Knowsley Carers Hub | n-compass
Change in physical/mental health condition
If your condition changes whilst you are waiting for a social care need assessment, please contact your GP straight away. If you require medical advice, you can call NHS services on 111. You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it's not a life-threatening situation. NHS can direct you to the best place to get help if you cannot contact your GP during the day, or when your GP is closed. Get help from NHS 111 online.
Know what to do in an emergency
- For urgent mental health support, call your GP for an urgent appointment, get help from 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option
- For immediate concerns regarding safety and welfare, contact Knowsley Council Social Care on 0151 443 2600 (24 hours)
- Call 999 or go to A&E if your or someone else’s life is at risk
Safeguarding
If you are concerned that you or someone you know is at risk of abuse or neglect please contact us on the 0151 443 2600 to make a safeguarding referral or visit our website Safeguarding adults | Knowsley Council to raise a concern online.
Things to consider whilst you wait
Tech enabled care
Technology Enabled Care are devices and systems that support a person to maintain or improve their independence, safety and wellbeing. Common Technology Enabled Care devices include pendant alarms that can be pulled in the event of a fall, bed sensors, fall or epilepsy detectors, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, key safes, medication dispensers, GPS watches and smart home assistants.
In Knowsley we are committed to helping you to live safely and independently in your own home for as long as possible and our range of Technology Enabled Care solutions can support you to do just that. Helping you to stay independent | Knowsley Council
Direct Payments
Direct Payments are payments made to individuals who have been assessed as eligible to receive social care or support from their social services department. So instead of your Local Authority arranging or providing your services directly, you are given the money to buy the support and services you need. For more information you can contact Knowsley Disability Concern on 0151 480 4090 or visit www.kdc.org.uk
Financial Assessment
In England, everyone who receives adult social care services must pay for their care. You will need to contribute to the cost of your care services unless your assets, savings, and income are very low. To find out how much you will need to contribute, we will do a financial assessment which looks at your income, savings, and capital following your social care needs assessment.
If you have more than £23,250 in savings or other investments, you will be considered a "self-funder" and will need to pay the full cost of your care and support services. This means if you are able, you could arrange your own care and support.
LiveWell Directory
LiveWell is a free directory of care and support services, activities and information covering Knowsley, Liverpool and Wirral. You can access the directory 24 hours a day to find help on a range of health and wellbeing issues including how to get active, stop smoking, drink less alcohol and eat more healthily. You can also search for support around drug misuse, feelings of isolation or loneliness, maintaining your independence at home, being a carer and taking care of your mental health.
Healthy Knowsley
Healthy Knowsley a one stop shop for information and advice to help you on your way to improved health and wellbeing. If you feel like you need more personalised support, free, confidential one to one telephone or video call support is available from the Healthy Knowsley Hub. Call 0800 0731 202 and arrange to speak to one of our wellbeing coaches. Alternatively, you can complete the Healthy Knowsley Hub referral form and somebody will contact you.
The Knowsley Offer
The Knowsley Offer sets out the current package of support, information and services available to residents: The Knowsley Offer | Knowsley Council. It can help you to prepare for your social care experience and provides some useful signposting to both council-led, government and independent schemes and organisations which may be able to lessen your concerns. You do not need a referral for some services which include Blue Badges to make travel easier and our ‘Care and Repair’ handyman service to help with minor repairs and maintenance work to your home. You can contact the Care and Repair team on 0151 351 8734 / 0151 351 8701 or visit Care and Repair service.
Financial worries
You might have issues on your mind that aren’t related to your actual wait. You may be struggling with money and the cost of living, housing or work, for example. They can also impact your wellbeing. For practical advice on how to cope with financial worries and to check the financial support that may be available to you, you can visit the Council’s website: Benefits and support.
Look Ahead
Help to stabilise your health during your waiting period by using the NHS Health Check to detect any health problems you may not already know about before they do real damage. As long as you meet the relevant health criteria, this is a free service for Knowsley residents aged 40-74. More information can be accessed here.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Visit the Health and wellbeing guidance on the Council website to explore the range of options available to support you in living as well as you can.