Long-term support

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: 

• You can employ your own care workers using a direct payment.
• You can ask us to arrange a service from a home care agency. 
• You can make your own arrangement with a home care agency using a direct payment. 
• If you can afford it, you can make your own arrangements privately, either with a home care agency or with care workers who you employ. 

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? 

• Phone us on 01670 536 400 
• Or email onecall@northumberland.gov.uk  

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.  

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: 

• Because of the job you have. 
• You have skills or useful experience. 
• You represent an organisation. 
• You are elected by a forum. 
• You are asked to join by the board. 

  
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. 

About the learning disability partnership board 

The values and principles of the board state that people with learning disabilities: 

• Have the same rights as everyone else, which will be promoted and protected. 
• Will have the greatest possible choice and control over decisions that affect their lives. 
• Will be fully included in the lives of their communities. 
• Will be supported to have as much independence as possible.  

  
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 partnership board meetings 

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.