Page 1 of 6
Introduction
In this section you will learn about:
- FACS and its principles
- the eligibility criteria for both adults and carers
- what has changed in FACS 2010.
Fair Access to Care Services (FACS) is a national eligibility framework for allocating social care resources fairly, transparently and consistently. It was introduced in 2003 and has been revised and updated in 2010.
The national eligibility bandings and criteria are interpreted by councils with adult social services responsibilities (CASSRs) in respect of the needs of their community and local budgetary needs.
The principles underpinning FACS are set out below:
CASSRs should:
- use FACS to operate a single process to determine eligibility for social care support
- base the determination of eligibility on risk to an individual's independence in the short, medium and longer term
- provide a whole system approach that is open, transparent and proportionate to the impact on individuals and the wider community
- ensure that all people with similar needs within the same local authority should expect to receive a similar quality of outcome
- ensure that determination of eligibility takes due regard to race, gender and disability
- take into account local budgetary considerations.
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Introduction
FACS comprises four eligibility bands specified nationally and implemented through the assessment process. The bands grade eligibility needs in terms of risk to an individual's independence and well-being and the consequences of their needs not being met.
Click on the eligibility terms to learn more about each one.
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Low
When:
- there is, or will be, an inability to carry out one or two personal care or domestic routines; and/or
- involvement in one or two aspects of work, education or learning cannot or will not be sustained; and/or
- one or two social support systems and relationships cannot or will not be sustained; and/or
- one or two family and other social roles and responsibilities cannot or will not be undertaken.
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Moderate
When:
- there is, or will be, an inability to carry out several personal care or domestic routines; and/or
- involvement in several aspects of work, education or learning cannot or will not be sustained; and/or
- several social support systems and relationships cannot or will not be sustained; and/or
- several family and other social roles and responsibilities cannot or will not be undertaken.
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Substantial
When:
- there is, or will be, only partial choice and control over the immediate environment; and/or
- abuse or neglect has occurred or will occur; and/or
- there is, or will be, an inability to carry out the majority of personal care or domestic routines; and/or
- involvement in many aspects of work, education or learning cannot or will not be sustained; and/or
- the majority of social support systems and relationships cannot or will not be sustained; and/or
- the majority of family and other social roles and responsibilities cannot or will not be undertaken.
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Critical
When:
- life is, or will be, threatened; and/or
- significant health problems have developed or will develop; and/or
- there is, or will be, little or no choice and control over vital aspects of the immediate environment; and/or
- serious abuse or neglect has occurred or will occur; and/or
- there is, or will be, an inability to carry out vital personal care or domestic routines; and/or
- vital involvement in work, education or learning cannot or will not be sustained; and/or
- vital social support systems and relationships cannot or will not be sustained; and/or
- vital family and other social roles and responsibilities cannot or will not be undertaken.
Page 3 of 6
Introduction
In the model the eligibility bands (low, moderate, substantial and critical) are set in the context of:
- the general population,
- the recognition that universal services need to be expanded to meet the needs, demands and expectations of the general population and for adults using and seeking services and carers,
- the need to strengthen communities, assist individual choices and prioritise funding for individual needs.
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Introduction
FACS was introduced in 2003, to provide CASSRs with a framework for determining eligibility to adult care services. FACS made recommendations about how CASSRs should carry out assessments and reviews, and support individuals through the processes.
Revised guidance on FACS was consulted on in July 2009 and reported on in December 2009. Based on the outcomes from the consultation, the Department of Health (DH) issued revised guidance for FACS in February 2010.
Click on each of the points below to read about what's new, what's changed and what has stayed the same.
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What's new?
What's new and enhanced is mainly in the context FACS is implemented through assessments, referrals, review and ongoing support:
- The eligibility criteria have been set within the context of the new direction of policy established by Putting People First and public service reform.
- Prevention, early intervention and enablement are to become the norm and are seen as an investment in well-being and delaying or preventing needs escalating.
- There is an enhanced focus on:
- rights, discrimination and equality, as well as social inclusion.
- self-assessment before any formal assessment as a way of putting the person seeking support at the heart of the process.
- self-directed support, personal budgets and the right to take managed risks.
- 'first contact' as a critical aspect of assessment and referral, recognising that the first response can determine the quality of future contact and save time and cost on assessment later.
- promoting community well-being and preventative approaches.
- transitions, to ensure that young people with social care needs have every opportunity to lead as independent a life as possible and are not disadvantaged by the move between children's services and adult services.
- improved information sharing between IT systems and across organisational boundaries supported by the development and evaluation of the Common Assessment Framework for Adults through local authority-led demonstration sites that run to 2012.
- The need to use the five statutory principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
- The right and needs of young people providing care as children and young people.
- Legislation introduced in April 2009 to develop a common approach to handling complaints in the NHS and adult social care.
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What's changed?
FACS 2003
- Needs-based assessments and reviews
- Preventative approaches
- Care planning
FACS 2010
- Outcomes-based assessments and reviews
- Preventative strategies
- Personalisation and support planning
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What's the same?
- the national eligibility bandings and criteria for adults using or seeking care services (see Extra Resources section)
- eligible needs must be assessed prior to financial assessment
- the groups eligible for social care services
- the requirement to provide an immediate response in emergencies and crises, followed by a fuller assessment
- the provision for adults moving from one council area to another
- practices for dealing with withdrawal of services (which should be handled with caution and sensitivity) and when adults seeking services are not eligible for support
- the need to recognise that adults who have parenting responsibilities for a child or young person may require help with these responsibilities, to promote the child/young person well-being and to safeguard them.
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Introduction
Now let's see how many you can remember.
For each of the aspects of the new revised FACS guidance, decide if it is the same as the original, has changed or is new.
Try to remember how many you got right or wrong, as you will receive feedback at the end of this section.
Select 'Next' to start.
Question 1 of 8
The national eligibility banding and criteria for adults using or seeking care services.
Question 2 of 8
A shift from needs-based assessments and reviews to outcomes-based assessments and reviews.
Question 3 of 8
The requirement to provide an immediate response in emergencies and crises, followed by a fuller assessment.
Question 4 of 8
The eligibility criteria have been set within the context of the new direction of policy established by Putting People First and public service reform.
Question 5 of 8
The need to use the five statutory principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Question 6 of 8
An increased emphasis on personalisation and support planning.
Question 7 of 8
Eligible needs must be assessed prior to financial assessment.
Question 8 of 8
Prevention, early intervention and enablement are to become the norm and are seen as an investment in well-being and delaying or preventing needs escalating.
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Introduction
Feedback
- a) 8 out of 8 - Congratulations. All your answers are correct! Click on NEXT to move to the final page of this section
- b) 6-7 out of 8 - Well done. Most of your answers are correct. You may want to go back to page 5 of this section to look again at what has changed, what is new and what is the same.
- c) 0-5 out of 8 - Based on your results we suggest that before you move on, go back to page 5 and look again at what has changed, what is new and what is the same.
That brings us to the end of the first section. Select Back to Start in order to get back to the main menu.
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