What to do if you need help
If you, your relative or friend need help let us know. There are council offices that deal specifically with older people's needs.
Adult Social Care Direct| is the first point of contact for you or your family if you feel you need help from social care in Gateshead.
At this point they will explain what options are available to you. These could be:
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telling you about another organisation that could help, such as the Citizens Advice Bureau;
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offering information that can resolve your issue quickly.
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to carry out a full assessment.
What happens next?
You may need help urgently, for example, if your carer has been taken into hospital suddenly. A social worker/assessing officer will visit that day where there is a serious risk.
If you don't need help straight away and this is the first time you have contacted Community Based Services, then the social worker / assessing officer will organise a first contact visit within two calendar days. The next step is for an assessment to be carried out.
What is an assessment?
An assessment is a way of looking at all the things that you are able to manage for yourself, and also at all the things which you may be having difficulty with, for example getting yourself dressed.
A social worker / assessing officer will visit you usually at home, sometimes on several occasions, to gather all the information they need to understand how best to help you. We aim to complete your assessment within 28 days. If you have a carer, they can be part of the assessment or can ask to have an assessment or can ask to have an assessment of their own needs carried out separately.