Social Services

What is Social and Community Services?

Social & Community Services is the new name for Social and Health Care (S&HC) in Oxfordshire (also formerly known as Social Services).

The Social & Community Services Directorate works in partnership with individuals, groups, communities and other organisations (including the NHS) to protect vulnerable people. Services provided include:

• Personal Care - washing and dressing etc.
• Meals
• Home shopping
• Day Centres
• Housing adaptations
• Respite Care
• Residential and Nursing Care
• Money Management Team

The Access to Information Services Team in Oxfordshire

Contact

For out of hours emergencies contact:
Emergency Duty Team on 0800 833408

There are three Adult Assessment Teams in Oxfordshire, who take referrals on from the Access to Information Service. They provide Assessment, care planning and review over 2 month period, following initial contact.

If need is urgent (e.g. there is serious threat to personal safety), a care manager or social worker will normally visit within 24 hours. Otherwise assessment should be completed within four weeks.

Anyone who is unsure of which team to contact should contact the customer services unit, on 01865 375515.

Emergency Duty Team

The Emergency Duty Team (EDT) provides a countywide emergency out-of-hours and weekend contact for Oxfordshire Social & Community Services on 0800 833408.

Specialist Teams for Older People (S.T.O.P. Teams)

The Specialist Teams for Older People (S.T.O.P. Teams), provide assessment, care planning, review and ongoing work, including provision of social work service and arranging care services, for those entitled to care under means-tested criteria.

The S.T.O.P. Teams work with Older People, and also with Younger People who have dementia.

N.B. The S.T.O.P. Teams should only be contacted in relation to people who are already in contact with the S.T.O.P. team - all initial enquiries and requests for assessment should be directed to Adult Assessment Teams.

There are five S.T.O.P. Teams in Oxfordshire, covering the five District Council areas:

Occupational Therapists

A person with dementia is entitled to a specialist assessment (for assistive equipment and adaptations), by an occupational therapist (OT).

An occupational therapist (OT) can visit the home to assess whether items such as handrails, grab rails or level access showers/baths would be helpful. Most people find the OT's visit and subsequent adaptations very helpful, (but waiting for the OT assessment can be a frustrating time).

Social & Community Services occupational therapists are based at local Social & Community Services Offices. If you are unsure of which team to contact, you should contact the customer services unit, on 01865 375515

Relief to Carers Service

The Relief to Carers Service (registered with CSCI for domiciliary support), is part of Oxfordshire County Council Social & Community Services. Trained care staff provide support to people who would be at risk if left on their own for more than a short period of time, to allow carer/s to have a break.

A few hours can be allocated each week to enable the carer to take a break (average is 3 hours per week). Where possible Relief to Carers try to allocate the same care assistant at each visit, in order to provide continuity. Occasional longer or overnight breaks may also be available.

Charges for the Relief to Carers service depend on the financial circumstances of the person being cared for; they will be financially assessed.

Due to limitations on the availability of this service, referrals are normally only accepted from Social and Community Services Care Managers.

Further Information

You may find the following Alzheimer's Society information sheets helpful in understanding the Social & Community Services System:

See also our section Carers - Looking After Yourself, for information on Carers' Assessments.

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