Cost of Living Support Icon
warm Spaces Icon

The Council's Charter for Social Services

 

AIM

 

People in need of help from social services and eligible for assistance will be supported to:

  • maintain their personal dignity and self-respect
  • increase their independence, choice and control
  • stay safe
  • improve their quality of life and make use of opportunities
  • improve their health and emotional well-being
  • achieve greater economic well-being
  • make a positive contribution to their community.

We believe that people using adult services should expect, for example:

  • services that protect adults from abuse and exploitation
  • fair access to services
  • good intermediate care services which prevent unnecessary hospital admissions
  • timely provision of equipment and adaptations to help promote their independence and ability to remain in their community
  • support for carers that enables them to continue performing this crucial role
  • discharge from hospital as soon as medical needs allow
  • appropriate levels of home care to help prevent admission to residential care
  • opportunities to develop skills, especially for people with learning or physical disabilities and mental health problems
  • joined-up services, across professional and organisational boundaries
  • meaningful participation in the planning of services.

We believe that children and their families should expect, for example:

  • services that protect children from abuse and exploitation
  • timely help to avoid children and young people having to be looked after unnecessarily
  • quality care in placements for children who are looked after and additional services to meet their educational and health needs
  • opportunities for leisure and respite care, to support children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and their families
  • action to prevent offending and to reduce re-offending by children and young people
  • encouragement to participate in decision-making and to work in partnership with social services.