London Borough of Croydon

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Adult placement support unit

What we do

The unit recruits, supports, monitors and trains carers to provide individuals with accommodation which is highly flexible and a significant alternative to other residential forms of support. Placements offer the service user an opportunity to live an ordinary domestic life as part of the adult placement carer's family.

Who is the adult placement scheme for?

The scheme can help people to live fulfilling lives with their family unit, and community. They may include

  • adults who have a learning disability
  • adults with a past or present mental illness
  • adults with a physical disability
  • older adults

Our aim

The implementation of the Care Standards Act 2000 regulates adult placement schemes and by operating within the national minimum standards for adult placement carers, the scheme will ensure good practice, safeguard service users and ensure placements are appropriate to the "family environment" where the welfare and social inclusion of the service users is paramount.

The constant aim is to match facilities and the environment offered by carers with the needs of the individuals referred to the scheme. Carers are expected to provide a welcoming home where vulnerable adults in need of a stable environment are accepted and encouraged to build their confidence, independence and abilities as members of the community, not as "patients" or "service users". Dependent upon what care is required, this may be with a registered carer or within supportive lodgings.

Carers

The scheme provides support to carers and service users. Carers are recruited and supported by the adult placement support and development unit and its officers who continuously monitor the quality of care and accommodation and payments when established. A panel approves new carers for acceptance into the scheme and deals with the conduct of carers. Service users are supported by adult placement care managers who facilitate regular service user reviews and access to appropriate community facilities and have an excellent understanding of the benefits system. They will set up financial arrangements between service users and carers, and assist service users in managing finances where necessary.

The carer's fee and service user's contributions will be determined by the yearly increase in DSS benefits and implemented by the carer support unit. The cost includes the provision of accommodation, all meals and food, heating, hot water, electricity and general counseling and support.

A yearly review of the accommodation and standards of care provided by the Carers will be undertaken by the carer support unit in accordance with the Department of Health (DH) policy and practice guidance for adult placement schemes. The scheme is registered and inspected by the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

Who are the carers?

Carers must be caring people and have a sensitive attitude towards the needs of service users. Most will have had experience in caring for others in a professional or personal capacity. It is now a requirement that carers are prepared to work towards a recognised qualification in care or evidence this through other relevant qualifications or experience. The department is developing a training programme to meet this requirement as part of the recruitment and ongoing support service. Carers must be able to provide safe, comfortable accommodation. Carers look after service users who need a range of support from providing counselling and support to help with personal care (i.e. bathing) and medication.

Carers are not employed by Croydon Social Services, but regularly attend support and training meetings to equip them for the very demanding task of caring for vulnerable people. Carers are supported by adult placement support officers, and service users are supported by adult placement officers or care managers.

Prescribed fees are paid to carers according to the level of service provided to which service users contribute based on a financial assessment.

Recruitment of carers

Croydon is a multi-cultural borough and our aim is to have a range of carers to reflect that multiplicity, enabling us to offer this unique caring resource to Croydon residents from varying cultural and ethnic backgrounds. We also recognise that the term "family" encompasses many different types of households.

How do I access this service

Access to the adult placement scheme can only be made following an assessment of need (see also Assessment of Need) by one of our specialist staff. Once assessed as needing short term or long term accommodation and support, an 'adult placement' will be considered as one of a range of options based on need, choice and availability of vacancies. The scheme matches the needs of the service user to the ability of the caring family to meet those needs involving potential service users at all stages of the placement process.

What do I do next?

You can contact us through Social Services for Adults.

For further information on becoming a carer on the adult placement scheme, please contact the adult placement support unit team administrator.

Contact Details

Contact name
Social services for adults
Department
Department for Adult Services and Housing
Telephone
020 8726 6500
Minicom
020 8760 5797
Email
Referral.team2@croydon.gov.uk
Address
Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon CR9 3JS
Contact name
Commission for Social Care Inspection
Telephone
020 7239 0330
Fax
020 7239 0309
Email
enquiries.london@csci.gsi.gov.uk
Address
Regional Contact Team
4th floor
Caledonia House
223 Pentonville Road
London N1 9NG
Website
www.csci.gov.uk

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