I am aware that most of you reading this will be social care practitioners in one capacity or the other, so you will probably read this and chuckle. But I imagine how I felt during my first client visit is a lot like how non-lawyers feel the first time they are asked to come toContinue reading “Reflections on my first in person client visit”
Tag Archives: Basics
“Authorisation …would serve only to protect the local authority from acting unlawfully”
I was reading through the many case updates that arrived in my inbox the other morning and one really stood out to me: the case of Nottinghamshire v LH [2021] EWHC 2584. It is a judgement of the High Court under its inherent jurisdiction, and it relates to a child. So it wouldn’t normally catchContinue reading ““Authorisation …would serve only to protect the local authority from acting unlawfully””
I’ve been notified about s21A proceedings, what do I do?
This is a question I get asked a lot, so I will try to talk you through the process as well as I can, both for professionals and family members. If you don’t know what s21A proceedings are, don’t worry, not many people do. They are very specialised proceedings in the Court of Protection broughtContinue reading “I’ve been notified about s21A proceedings, what do I do?”
Care Act assessment: part 4 the write-up
This is the final post in my series about Care Act needs assessments. So far we have looked at the actions to be taken at first contact with an individual, the eligibility criteria and the need for the process to be person-centred, appropriate and proportionate. This last post will explore one of my favourite topics:Continue reading “Care Act assessment: part 4 the write-up”
Care Act assessment: part 3 tailored assessments
This is the third post in my series about Care Act assessments of need. The first post explored the issues to be considered at the beginning of the assessment, and the second post talked through the eligibility criteria. This post will discuss how authorities tailor their assessment process to the individual being assessed. The careContinue reading “Care Act assessment: part 3 tailored assessments”
Care Act assessment: part 2 the criteria
This is the second post in my series on Care Act needs assessments. You can read the first part here. That post discussed the start of the process, and issues practitioners have to be mindful of at that stage. This post explores the eligibility criteria against which assessments must be conducted. These criteria are setContinue reading “Care Act assessment: part 2 the criteria”
The DoLS eligiblity test: possible routes out of the mire
I am talking here specifically about the eligibility assessment for the purposes of granting a standard authorisation under the deprivation of liberty safeguards (commonly referred to as the DoLS scheme). In case you aren’t familiar with the DoLS scheme, I’ll give a brief overview. It is the mechanism by which deprivation of an individual’s libertyContinue reading “The DoLS eligiblity test: possible routes out of the mire”
Care Act assessment: part 1 first contact
I was shocked recently to discover how few resources my local authority had been able to access about Care Act assessments. Undertaking this work is so vital to the roles that local authorities fulfill, yet targeted training has, for us at least, been quite difficult to source. So I am sticking my oar in, soContinue reading “Care Act assessment: part 1 first contact”
Ordinary residence, s117 and the Worcestershire decision
This judgement was released on 22 March 2021, but it is unlikely to be the last word on this issue as an appeal is in the works. In the meantime, any cases raising similar issues will be stayed, and determination only given after the outcome of that appeal is known. For those not familiar withContinue reading “Ordinary residence, s117 and the Worcestershire decision”
The sad result of gaps in services
I would like, if you all don’t mind indulging me, to reflect on the often present problem of gaps in services. This is an issue, which I think has the potential to become more profound as services continue to be stretched and the country begins to feel the long-term effects of the last few difficultContinue reading “The sad result of gaps in services”