What are care and support plans?

If a person with dementia has eligible needs, they will get a care and support plan. If a carer is eligible, they will also get a support plan. These outline the person’s care and support needs, and how they can be met. For example, a person with dementia may need prompting and support at mealtimes. The support plan may say that a care worker should visit them in their home to help them at mealtimes.

A carer’s support plan outlines things that are specifically for the carer, for example manual lifting and handling training (which could help you to use a hoist), or having a temporary break from caring. A carer’s assessment may also lead to changes in the care plan of the person they care for.

Sometimes a carer’s need is best met by giving services to the person they care for. An example is replacement (respite) care, such as a paid carer coming to spend time with the person, which allows the carer to take a break. Although it is there to help the carer, it is given to the person with dementia as part of their care plan.

If someone is eligible to have their care needs met by the local authority, their care plan will also mention their ‘personal budget’, and how much they have to spend on meeting their needs. 

How are care and support arranged?

The main ways that care and support can be arranged are:

  • The local authority gives the support directly.
  • The local authority arranges for a care provider, such as a homecare agency, to give the care.
  • The local authority makes a direct payment to the person or their carer to buy their own care and support.

You may have care and support arranged as a combination of these options. How the care will be arranged is usually discussed in the assessment, and should be in the care plan.

The local authority must give you information about where to get care and support locally, even if they are not paying for the care. The information can include advice from professionals such as an occupational therapist or a social worker.

You can also get information from local care agencies and charities. Some of these run a brokerage scheme to help people find the support they want.

The Care Quality Commission lists all registered homecare agencies in each area of the country (see Useful resources). Some services, such as community nursing, are arranged through the GP, either directly or after discussion with social services (adult services).