Information about long-term support and services.
Many people with care and support needs get the help they need from family and friends, or from their local community (such as, bullet list of groups that can help).
Many people also pay privately to get the help they need, for example with household jobs they may find difficult such as cooking, cleaning, washing or to help with personal care tasks, such as eating and bathing.
You can find and compare care homes by entering a postcode on this page and search within a specified distance of any address in England.
You can find and compare registered home care providers by selecting the service you require and entering your postcode on this page here.
Anyone who needs care and support has a right to advice or a needs assessment. This includes people who need care and support because of physical or mental health problems or any kind of disability or long-term condition. Family members or friends providing care also have similar rights, explained in Information Sheet C4.
A needs assessment is a detailed discussion with a trained member of staff, which will produce a written statement of what your needs are, and what you can do to reduce them, or prevent them from getting worse.
If your care and support needs are having a significant impact on your wellbeing, a needs assessment may tell you that you are entitled to assistance from the council.
You don’t have to have a needs assessment to get advice about what support may be available, you may prefer to start by asking for advice. You will then be able to make an informed decision about whether a full needs assessment would be worth your while at present.
A needs assessment is essential if you want the council to pay for long-term care and support services, but if you only need advice, immediate practical help, or equipment or adaptations to your home, you don't have to have a full needs assessment.
You can find out more about paying for care here.
If we assess that you need care and support at home from paid care workers, there are several different ways we can help you to arrange this:
There is also support available for carers - family or friends who help to meet a person’s care and support needs. More information on this can be found in Information sheet C4.
How do I ask for advice or a needs assessment?
You don’t have to decide in advance whether you want advice or a needs assessment – you can ask for a discussion about that when you contact us.
You can find out more about your options in our information sheets below:
Care and Support planning. Your entitlement care and support. Paying for care and support.
Council day services for adults
Our day centres help more than 170 adults with learning disabilities to acquire new skills. These include learning to grow plants, make jewellery, ceramics, cakes and reclaim/sell old furniture, with any money made reinvested in this service. We provide vulnerable adults with a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and develop confidence and self-esteem while preparing them for future employment or voluntary work. Wherever possible, activities are delivered in the local community, making it easier for people to attend on a regular basis. These are services we can arrange following an assessment of a person's needs - there are also many day services operated by other organisations which we can arrange, which can often also offer places under a private arrangement.
Please click here for more information about our day services for people with a learning disability.
Supported living services for adults with learning disabilities The council provides two supported living services for adults with learning disabilities. You can find more information and read the latest Care Quality Commission inspection reports here.
Contact details for our council day services for people with a learning disability Mowbray Day Centre Stakeford Lane Stakeford Choppington Northumberland NE62 5HQ
Phone: (01670) 536230
Blyth Riverside Resource Centre Coniston Road Blyth Riverside Business Park Blyth NE24 4RQ
Phone: (01670) 353 276
Horticultural Skills Unit Hepscott Park Stannington Morpeth NE61 6NF
The Garden Cafe Hepscott Park Stannington Morpeth NE61 6NF
Phone: (01670) 623916
Horticultural Training Unit West Sleekburn Farm Bomarsund Bedlington NE22 7AD
The Northstar Centre St Mary's Castlegate Berwick TD15
Phone: (01289) 305 105
The Pottergate Centre Howling Lane Alnwick NE66 1DJ
Phone: (01665) 602 181
The Tynedale Centre Unit 13 Haugh Lane Industrial Estate Hexham NE46 3PU
Phone: (01434) 605 245
Tynedale Horticultural Service Minsteracres Retreat Centre, Consett, County Durham DH8 9RT
The learning disability partnership board (LDPB) aims to show the values of inclusiveness, respect, dignity and equal partnership in working together locally with people with learning disabilities, and their families, to support better lives for them. It meets quarterly and is co-chaired by representatives from the local area forums. Guests or representatives from other organisations are invited to report or help with specific work as required. There are different ways of becoming a member. It may be:
The board considers government proposals and national guidance alongside local priorities, with the aim of making better lives for people with learning disabilities and their families in Northumberland.
The values and principles of the board state that people with learning disabilities:
Members of the board have influenced a range of developments including a charter and standards linked to our quality assurance monitoring, the Hospital Passport and development of the Jack & Josephine programme to support better health and wellbeing.
Please click here to view our customer charter and standards document.
The LDPB reports annually on local progress. Representatives link to regional partnerships with stakeholders, such as Northeast and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, Carers Northumberland, ADAPT and other interested networking groups
Learning Disability Board meetings take place quarterly, with one meeting acting as the annual general meeting. User forum groups and other user led networks feed into the board meeting from across the county. Dates of meetings can change, but if you require more information on either the board or user forum meetings, please contact the board by email northumberlandechoforum@gmail.com. The learning disability partnership board is chaired by Sean Brennan, senior manager for learning disability provider services in Northumberland County Council. For more information, contact Sean Brennan by email at sean.brennan@northumberland.gov.uk or phone 0778 617 3140.
Dementia affects each person in different ways, but some of the more common problems often affect the way someone interacts with other people or their actions.
How many people are affected in Northumberland?
Around 35,000 people living in the north east have dementia and this is expected to rise. In Northumberland around 2,500 people have been diagnosed with dementia, along with many others not yet diagnosed but experiencing memory loss or other symptoms who live in the community.
Who is at risk?
The risk of developing dementia increases with age. It more often occurs in people over 65 but can affect younger people in their early to mid-50’s or 60’s. There are no obvious physical signs that show someone has dementia or memory problems. If you or someone you know is worried about their memory, encourage them to contact their GP for advice.
Awareness
Dementia is progressive so the effects get worse over time. However, many people with dementia lead active and fulfilling lives for many years. It can’t be cured yet but can be slowed down and people helped to live with it. To do this, they need the communities in which they live to be aware of dementia, inclusive of people living with dementia, and that businesses and services support customers with dementia. In Northumberland we want to promote dementia awareness and develop partnerships to support people to get an early diagnosis and be able to continue to live safe and fulfilling lives in familiar surroundings. By working together with partners, we can all help to make our towns and villages more understanding and supportive of people experiencing some of the difficulties associated with having dementia.
Living with dementia in the home
People with dementia tell us they want to be able to feel safe and able to continue to live in their own homes, which are familiar to them for as long as possible. To help with this, all new housing developments in Northumberland consider how to best support people with dementia. The University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre has produced guidance for professionals including Designing Interiors for People with Dementia. By using this guidance new homes are now more suitable for people currently living with dementia and for those who develop the condition in the future.
If you or someone you care for is suffering from memory loss, there is help available in Northumberland. Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW), in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Society, Carers Northumberland and Age UK Northumberland have co-produced these two short films to help people find the right support if they are concerned or are experiencing changes in their memory or thinking. What to do if you have concerns about memory difficulties This short film helps to explain what you can expect to happen, if you notice a change in your memory or thinking. Dementia Support Services This short film explains some of the services in Northumberland that might be able to help.
Part of the Ageing Well in Northumberland programme is about bringing together local partners to help them understand and respond to the needs of all older people including people with dementia. This is done locally through training, information, activities and support to help people stay active and connected to others. For further information on living with or caring for someone with dementia, practical advice and guidance to help shape how services are designed and delivered, click on one of the following Links:
If your disability or illness is so serious you cannot realistically stay in your own home, we can help you to move into supported housing or a care home.
People who live in Northumberland and need this level of care can get financial support from the county council, if they are not able to afford the fees themselves.
You should contact our care management service if you wish to explore this option.
A complete list of registered care homes in England is available on the CQC website, which also holds inspection reports providing detailed information about the services offered by each home and the quality of what is provided.
Click here to find out more information about Care Homes
Care homes provide care, accommodation and board for people needing high levels of support. They are required by law to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). People living in Northumberland who need this level of care can get financial support from the county council if they are not able to afford the fees themselves. Some people with particularly complex needs may be eligible for NHS funding for a place in a care home, regardless of their financial circumstances (but some care homes may charge higher fees than the NHS will pay). Contact us if you think you may need to move into a care home and would like advice or financial help. If you live in the county and qualify for financial support from the council or the NHS, we are responsible for arranging this even if you prefer to move to a care home somewhere else. Whether or not you need financial support, we recommend looking at a number of options. You can find out what is available using the links below:
Shared Lives Northumberland provides support in a family home for adults who are unable to live alone because of their age or disability. We provide skilled, trained and committed individuals who have been chosen by the trust to share their homes and their lives with others. The countywide service was set up in 2000 and we now have over 40 local people who are Shared Lives carers in Northumberland. Some of whom have been carers for over 20 years. If you or someone you know is looking for a place to live or short break away, you can find out more about the services we provide here. Long-term arrangements Shared Lives carers provide accommodation with support and/or care to people who need stability and continuity, and whose needs can be met by living as part of a family. Long term arrangements can last for many years and allow people to enjoy the opportunities and experiences that family or home life can bring. Short breaks Shared Lives carers provide regular or one-off breaks that are fun and enjoyable as well as offering families or other Shared Lives carers who look after someone the opportunity to take a break from their caring responsibilities. These can range from an overnight break, long weekend, or up to 28-day stays. Short breaks are also used to try out living with a Shared Lives carer before moving in on a longer-term basis. Emergency arrangements Sometimes a person may require accommodation, support and/or care at short notice, perhaps in the event of illness or a family crisis. Emergency arrangements are usually time limited and quite short. Make an enquiry If you have a general enquiry or would like to get in touch to request a service please email SocialCare@northumberland.gov.uk You can read the latest Care Quality Commission inspection report in the Care Quality Commission ratings section.
Equipment can protect people from accidents, assist them with the everyday tasks of life and/or make it easier to provide care for them. It can also help people to move back home from hospital.
The range of equipment available to make life easier for people who have difficulty with daily tasks is increasing all the time. A growing range of items are available from high street shops; others can be found in specialist shops, catalogues, or on the internet.
Health and care professionals can give you advice about equipment, which might help you.
You can also get impartial advice about what equipment you might find useful from: Disability North East,
The Dene Centre, Castle Farm Road, Gosforth, Newcastle NE3 1PH
Phone (0191) 284 0480 for an appointment Text Direct 18001 0191 284 0480
Email reception@disabilitynorth.org.uk Web address www.disabilitynorth.com
Listings of private companies offering equipment and advice can also be found in telephone directories, such as Thompson’s or the Yellow Pages, and through using internet search engines.
Some examples are:
Argos – Mobility aids, bathing equipment, toileting
equipment, personal aids, tables and trolleys
The list of suppliers above is an example of where equipment can be purchased and does not mean that we recommend or have approved their products or services.
If you have social care or health needs you can borrow, free of charge, equipment through the Joint Equipment Loans Service (JELS).
The types of equipment JELS provide includes:
A variety of health and social care professionals, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, care managers, district nurses and health visitors, can assess your needs and if equipment will improve your situation or that of someone you care for, they can arrange equipment from JELS.
If you are not already in contact with a professional who can advise you, please contact Onecall to request an assessment. If you already have equipment loaned through JELS and need to contact them directly, you can do this by ringing 01670 730595, or you can use one of the alternative contact methods listed on the page for Onecall our single point of access for all adult social care services.
Click here to go to our information sheet page which includes a sheet about equipment.
Who is eligible to borrow equipment? The service provides equipment for anyone that needs it, but this decision is made by health or social care professionals including care managers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, district nurses and health visitors.
How long does it take to get equipment? JELS are open Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4pm, JELS aim to deliver standard stock items of equipment within ten working days on receipt of a routine request; five working days for urgent requests and 48 hours for emergency requests.
However, if your assessed need is for an item of equipment that is not held as standard stock and must be ordered in it may take considerably longer than equipment delivery timeframes. How is equipment delivered? The delivery vans regularly go to all areas in Northumberland and will deliver your equipment at the first suitable opportunity. When JELS are delivering the equipment requested for you, you will be phoned the day before the planned delivery day to make sure that you will be in. Using the equipment In most case the person who requested the equipment for you will need to visit you after it has been delivered, to set it up and show you, or your carers, how to use it safely. Returning the equipment If the equipment you have loaned through JELS is no longer needed, you can arrange for it to be collected by calling 01670 730595 or you can return it direct to JELS between 8am and 3.30pm Monday to Thursday and between 8am and 3pm on Fridays, at: Joint Equipment Loans Service Northumberland County Council 43 Colbourne Crescent Nelson Park Industrial Estate Cramlington Northumberland NE23 1WB
Wheelchairs If your assessed need is a wheelchair JELS can provide basic models of wheelchairs for short term needs.
However, if your need is a wheelchair for long term use, more specialist wheelchair specification, postural support to the wheelchair or powered wheelchair these are all provided by through Northumbria Healthcare Trust's wheelchair service who can be contacted on 0191 282 8958.
Wheelchair services accept referrals from healthcare professionals only, you can ask your GP or consultant to refer you to them.
Telecare community alarms service and equipment Our telecare service can provide you with some additional security for your wellbeing at home. The service is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
You can find out more in the Telecare section below.
Our telecare service can provide you with some additional security for your wellbeing at home. The service is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
You can be provided with telecare equipment which can detect specific events such as if you have a fall, or the presence of smoke in your home, and it will automatically raise the alarm, so appropriate assistance can be provided. This is in addition to the community alarm service provided for older and vulnerable people in Northumberland. How does it work? ‘Intelligent’ sensors can be installed in your home which can indicate if you are in danger. You don’t need to take any action yourself for the telecare sensors to send the signal. The signals go to the community alarm ‘lifeline unit’ which is connected by a conventional phone socket to a call centre where a trained operator receives the signal. The operator knows whose home the signal is from and can speak to you. They will also know the telephone numbers of your carers, relatives, GP and of the emergency services. They will take appropriate action and will stay on the line to offer reassuring advice until help arrives. The team is made up trained call handlers and mobile wardens based in Northumberland. Telecare wardens, health and social care professionals can make referrals for telecare equipment. This includes care managers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, keyworkers, specialist social workers, and district nurses. You can also self-refer for the service or refer family & friends. Contacts If you think you would benefit from a telecare service, you can contact Telecare on 01670 827 100 or email the team via onecall@northumberland.gov.uk You can also speak to your care manager or any of the other health and social care professionals who are involved in your care.
If you ask us for help in arranging long-term care and support, you will usually be given a folder containing paper copies of the information sheets which are relevant to your circumstances. The sheets with an asterisk (*) against them in the list below are the ones which we include in the folder as standard. Please send us an email to: socialcare@northumberland.gov.uk if you would like copies of any of these information sheets in another format, such as tape or Braille, or if you would like them translated into another language.
Information sheet C1* - advice and needs assessment
Information sheet C3* - your entitlement to care and support
Information sheet C4* - advice, assessment and support for carers
Information sheet C6* - care and support planning
Information sheet C8* - paying for care and support (from 10 April 2023)
A full copy of the council's charging policy is also available. This is a more formal document than our information sheets, and for most purposes the information sheets on charging are likely to be more helpful. The national regulations which the policy refers to can be found on the legislation.gov.uk website. Unfortunately, when these change, only the amendments are included in the new regulations, so there is no simple way to see the full current version. An easier way to find the nationally set figures that we use in financial assessments is to find the most recent local authority circular about charges on the Government website. Information sheet C9* - charges for living in a care home (from 10 April 2023)
Information sheet C10* - communicating with us by email
Information sheet C11* - NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
There is further information about some specific aspects of NHS CHC in information sheets C40 and C41 Information sheet C12* - complaints, comments and compliments
Information sheet C15 - care and support in your home (in preparation) Information sheet C16 - equipment for independent living
Information sheet C17 - reablement support in your own home
Information sheet C32 - adaptations to your home
Information sheet C40 - Interim NHS Funding after a hospital stay
Information sheet C41 - NHS CHC and private care arrangements
Information sheet 8 - help with moving into a care home In preparation Information sheet 9 - living in a care home: your rights
Information sheet 11 - person-centred planning for people with a learning disability
PDF (standard)
Information sheet 14 - direct payments
Information sheet 15 - seeing a financial assessment and benefits officer (from 10 April 2023)
Information sheet 16 - paying for support in the community
Information sheet 17 - reclaiming charges for breaks in services (from 10 April 2023)
Information sheet 19 - maximum charges for community support (from 10 April 2023)
Information sheet 20 - charges for a short stay in a care home (from 10 April 2023)
Information sheet 24 - smoke free environment
Information sheet 29 - making allowance for the cost of disability (from 10 April 2023)
We keep information about people we arrange help for in our files and on computer records. This information is shared with other people who need to know it to make arrangements for your support but is otherwise kept strictly confidential. Ask any of our staff if you want to know what information is being held, or if you would like some information not to be shared.
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