Better Care, Higher Standards
Information Sheet 27: The High Needs Team for older people
This information sheet is for older people who need a high level of care, and who may
need to move into a care home. It explains how our new High Needs Team will make sure
that people get the care they need.
 How do I get support from the Team?
Your care manager will ask the Team to get involved if it becomes clear that you need a
very high level of support, or that you may need to move into a care home.
 What will the Team do?
The Team will consider all options for providing you with the support you need. If you
urgently need to move into a care home, it will help you to find a suitable place. If you will
soon need to move into a care home, but you can stay at home a bit longer with the right
support, it will aim to arrange that support. If there is a chance that you might be able to
stay at home for longer, the Team will try to support you to do that.
 How long will I be supported by the Team?
If you move into a care home, the Team will usually hand over responsibility for monitoring
your care to another team, once you have settled in. If the Team arranges support for you
in the community, it will usually continue to support you for three months.
 Will my support at home come to an end after three months?
If the Team arranges for you to receive a very high level of support in your own home, we
may not be able to continue this after three months. If you have become more able to live
independently, you may be able to remain at home with a lower level of support.
Otherwise you may have to move into a care home.
The Team members you see will explain to you how long you can expect to continue.
 Will I have to pay for support from the Team?
There is no charge for the work of the Team itself. However there are charges for most
kinds of support which the Team can arrange, such as home care or a place in a care
home. Information Sheet 5 sets out the charges for home care and other support at home;
Information Sheet 6 explains what you will pay if you move into a care home. If you do not
have these information sheets, ask your care manager or any member of the High Needs
Team to get you copies.
 If I know I want to move into a care home, will the Team arrange that?
The Team will discuss with you whether you need to be in a care home, or whether there
are other options. If you do not need to be in a care home yet, or if there is a chance that
you may not need to move into a care home at all, the Team will look for ways to support
you at home instead.
In partnership with
 If I do need to live in a care home, can I choose which one?
If you need to live in a care home, you have a right to choose which one you prefer.
However at present some care homes in Northumberland are not prepared to accept
people funded by the Care Trust, because of a contract dispute. The Team will be able to
advise you about this.
 Why are some of the care homes in dispute with the Care Trust?
The dispute is about a new contract which introduces a link between how much homes get
paid and the quality of the service they provide. A number of care homes have already
decided that they are willing to accept the new contract, and are accepting residents
funded by the Care Trust as usual.
 What if I have enough money to pay the care home privately?
If you are able to make your own private arrangement with the care home of your choice,
you can choose to do so at any time. However you may still want to see what help the
Team is able to offer you to help you to stay in your own home.
 What if I am in hospital, and I want to move out?
The top priority for the Team is to make sure that everyone is safe and is getting the care
they need. If you are in hospital, your basic needs are being met. However we know that
hospitals are not good places for people to stay if they do not need further medical
treatment, so the Team will aim to find a way for you to move on as soon as reasonably
possible.
 How do I find out more?
Contact details for the High Needs Team are as follows:
Phone: (01670) 533764
Post: High Needs Team, Adult Care, County Hall, Morpeth, NE61 2EF
Email: [email protected]
Information Sheet 27: The High Needs Team for older people