ST C 3

Question 1

1. State the four stages of determining an iindividual’s care requirements by a local authority and the funding it has to provide.

Answer 1

The four stages in determining an individual’s care requirements by a local authority and the funding it provides is as follows:

• Referral - for example, from a doctor or S(>cial services.
• Needs assessment - this is the assessment of the individual’s care needs against the national eligibility criteria.
• Financial eligibility - once care needs are established, the next step is to establish the individual’s ability to contribute towards the cost of these.
• Arrange care and support - this would be documented in a care plan.

Question 2

2. In England, at what level of capital is an individual expected to meet the full costs of their residential care? If eligible on medical grounds, will they receive NHS-funded nursing care?

Answer 2

• Over £23,250.
• Yes, NHS-funded nursing care is payable if they need care provided or supervised by a registered nurse. This is given irresp,ective of their ability to afford to pay for care.

Question 3

3. Other than the main dwelling, state three types of capital which are not included in the local authority financial assessment process.

Answer 3

Three types of capital which are not included in the assessment process are:

• surrender value of a life policy;
• an asset the individual has no current beneficial interest in; and
• personal possessions, unless purchased with deliberate intention to maximise local authority care funding.

Question 4

4. What is deliberate asset deprivation?

Answer 4

This is when an individual gives away assets such as income or capital, or sells them at less than their market value, in order to qualify for/increase support that would not otherwise be available from their local authority.

Question 5

Briefly explain the personal expenses allowance.

Answer 5

The amount of income individuals are allowed to keep to pay for personal items such as newspapers/toiletries.