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.