2013 Transport Policy and Eligibility for Adult Social Care

Background

Adult Social Service is reviewing its approach to the provision of transport as part of the Adult Social Care assessment process and the need for an integrated policy and eligibility criteria has been highlighted to support good transparent operational decision making.

Fair Access to Care / Fairer Charging and the Single Assessment Process calls for a more consistent and standardised approach to assessing and identifying travel / transport needs for vulnerable adults in North Tyneside.

The agenda for ‘Independence, Choice and Well Being’ (DoH) offers opportunity to further enhance / maintain independence and promote social inclusion. This underpins a preventative and person centred approach to providing travel assistance for vulnerable adults and their carers.

Operational Social Workers and Care Coordinators are able to use this policy and guidance to provide a framework for assessing needs and eligibility against FACS and determining if transport is needed and how it may be provided to individuals, either as a commissioned service, as part of a care package, via a personal budget / direct payment or directly by the individual service user.

Information/signposting and support for essential journeys can be fragmented, action is needed to offer a consistent and co-ordinated approach to support individuals to access information and travel training opportunities.


Eligibility Criteria for provision of Transport / Travel Assistance:

Travel assistance will be provided for service users where:

  • The person is resident in North Tyneside.
  • An assessment by the Care Manager / Social worker under FACS (Fair Access to Care), clearly indicates a need for travel assistance. Other assessments used such as Community Care Assessment Schedules, Carers Assessments may also indicate a need for travel assistance.
  • A referral has been made to Transportation Services (Travel Assessor) for a more detailed risk assessment (especially where the person is a wheelchair user and where the referral indicates special / complex needs for example steep steps, difficult access and a travel companion / carer.)
  • Where alternative options to travel / transport have first been explored thoroughly with the service user/carer/others. (Using Travel Assistance checklist and any available mobility / risk assessments as relevant) and where as a result :
    1. No feasible alternative is found for the person being assessed.
    2. Direct Payments (Individual Budgets) have been explored and are not an option.
    3. The person owns a vehicle but there is no driver available and a valid reason is given. (This will be a temporary option)
    4. Carers needs / change in circumstances indicate some support required to enable essential journeys to continue for the relative / person cared for. (This may be short term only)


Guidance Notes

The following guidance notes are given to support the use of this policy / eligibility criteria.

  • Assessment for day services / opportunities does not carry an automatic eligibility for travel assistance. The current threshold for FACS eligibility to services is substantial / critical needs.
  • There will be an expectation that a person eligible for day services will travel independently unless there are valid reasons for commissioned travel assistance. This will generally relate to essential journeys.
  • Essential Journey: The agreed destination for social care following FACS. For example day centres, day opportunities (lunch clubs / drop-ins), respite/residential care.
  • Where a person has a concessionary bus pass/mobility component of DLA (Disability Living Allowance) and is able to travel independently there will be an automatic presumption that they will make their own way to day opportunity services.
  • Where a person has a vehicle, there will be an automatic presumption that they will drive themselves or that a driver is available and they will use that vehicle to get to day services.
  • If transport / travel provision has been identified as essential to facilitate access to Day Services, Day Opportunities and / or Respite, then the form of transport / travel arrangements will be determined following liaison with the Transport team.
  • A key person needs to be identified (in care plan) to support the service user to co-ordinate/implement their travel plans as needed. (Such as carer, Care Manager, support worker or Travel Assessor).
  • The outcome needs to be recorded in an accessible way. For example: with service user file, any person centred plans and relevant ESCR (Electronic Social Care Records) assessment and care plans.
  • Travel training will be considered as a longer term option where feasible.
  • Where transport is required and is to be commissioned for an individual, the Transport team will arrange this following receipt of a “Transport Request Form”. Where this is completed include sufficient details to identify the transport need and any “special” arrangements that need to be put in place as part of the transport provision. This will include:
    •  Any health / behavioural issues
    • Special needs
    • Requirement for an escort (M/F), also to identify if a M/F driver is required
    • Wheelchair user and if so any special requirements, including ramps
    • Details of the journey and frequency
    • Contact / NOK details
    • Note the above will apply to new requirements and also for changes to existing requirements

NB Eligibility for commissioned travel assistance will be time limited and subject to re-assessment. This information needs to be clearly recorded in appropriate care/action plans, with a review date.