Commissioning and Brokerage Guidance

Note: All care should be sourced by the Brokerage Team.

In order to make a referral the following work-steps in Mosaic should be completed by the key worker:

• Purchase Services workstep, completed via the Care and Support Plan.

If any of the information is missing Brokerage will not be able to arrange the service.

If the request is urgent, the worker can request prioritisation via contact with the Brokerage Officers using brokerageofficer@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

On finding a suitable framework offer, Brokers will book the care and confirm the start date with the key worker.

Offers above framework rates require budget holder approval before the booking can be made.

This is managed by the Care Allocation Team.

Key workers should contact careallocationteam@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk for support.  Either a completed Discharge to Assess form, approved by the relevant MDT / Solutions meeting is required, or an up to date and appropriate Care and Support Plan.

The Care Allocation Team will source and co-ordinate care elements, but the key worker is required to liaise with the individual and their family / representatives in all cases.

Note: All care should be sourced by the Brokerage Team.

In order to make a referral the following work-steps in Mosaic should be completed by the key worker:

• LD / MH workstep, completed via the Care and Support Plan.

If any of the information is missing Brokerage will not be able to arrange the service.

If the request is urgent, the worker can request prioritisation via contact with the Brokerage Officers using brokerageofficer@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Brokers will share the options found with the key worker for consideration with the individual and / or their family / representative, the key worker is required to confirm the booking with the provider.

Where suspending, reducing, increasing or amending a service, the key worker must liaise with the provider to agree the changes. 

Refer to available local processes when ending, suspending or varying services.  Advice and guidance can be sought from Adults Commissioning Team using adultscommissioningteam@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk  

The worker must then inform Adults Invoicing Team of the amendment so that the package can be amended accordingly to enable correct payment.

Email: adultsinvoicing@dorsetcouncil,gov.uk

The Brokerage Team manage a central list of all individuals awaiting commissioned care.  The key worker is responsible for ensuring the risk rating of the individual is accurate so that, if necessary, action can be taken to prioritise searching. 

Any changes should be flagged to Brokerage using brokerageofficer@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

The waiting list is on the intranet. See: Waiting List from October 2021

To request access to the waiting list, please use the link within Teams, or email brokerageofficer@dorset.gov.uk

Any queries about existing contracts, terms and conditions or specifications should be emailed to Adults Commissioning Team using adultscommissioningteam@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk  

All existing contracts can be viewed by the Contracts Register

All commissioned services are contracted via the Dorset Care Framework 2, further details can be viewed via Annex L. 

In order to make a referral please refer to the relevant process above, clearly stating respite requirements in the relevant referral workstep.

Any queries or guidance requirements should be addressed to the Brokerage Officers using brokerageofficer@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Any queries about existing contracts, terms and conditions or specifications should be emailed to Adults Commissioning Team using adultscommissioningteam@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk  

All existing contracts can be viewed by the Contracts Register

All commissioned services are contracted via the Dorset Care Framework 2, further details can be viewed via Annex L.

The Commissioned Services – Carer Support Dorset and Rethink, where appropriate should be the first port of call for all Carers.  A Carer does not have to be registered to access a Carers Assessment, but it is the preferred route for Dorset Council to ensure the carer has received all advice and guidance available.

Carer Support Dorset 

There is no referral required to access free support from Carer Support Dorset. Carers can email or call them on 0800 368 8349 to register and access advice, guidance and support.

Practitioners wishing to make a referral to Carer Support Dorset should complete this form. 

Referrals for a Dorset Council Carer Assessments are made by Carers direct to the Local Authority, by partners or via Carer Support Dorset. 

All Carer Support Dorset services are free and personalised to meet the carers needs. Find out how they can help and the range of services they provide include:

• Help to understand carers rights;
• Help to get a Carers Assessment from the council and understand the benefits of doing so;
• A Carer's Card - helping carers receive various discounts across the county and can be used as identification;
• Support to give carers a break from caring responsibilities;
• Advice for hospital admittance and discharge – including help to apply for a Carer Passport for use at hospitals which can help with discounts for parking and more;
• Access to local carers groups- providing an opportunity to compare notes and learn from the experiences of other carers; 
• A range of support for emotional wellbeing, including a free counselling service;
• Funding and funded services from the council;
• Free newsletters with news events, and services available;
• Support and advice for when the caring role comes to an end, including the loss of the person being cared for;
• Befriending service, someone to regularly talk to.

There are even more benefits available not listed, which will be available when registering.

Rethink

Rethink Dorset Carers Service can offer specialist support to Carers who care for someone living with a mental health illness.

We would still encourage Carers to contact Carers Support Dorset to access the full range of support available.

Rethink are able to help by providing Information, education, advice and signposting, and offer:

• Help understanding Carers rights;
• Breakaway respite funding;
• 1:1 support;
• Peer led support groups;
• Community activities including walking groups;
• Training sessions;
• Help to navigate the mental health services;
• Help to share Carers views and help them to be heard.

To find out more or make a referral see: Rethink.

As recognition of Carers and to enhance their wellbeing, a Carers Card offering discounts and special offers in their local community and from National organisations is awarded to all carers who register with Carer Support Dorset.

To access the form carers should register with Carers Support Dorset (see above) or telephone 0800 368 8349.

For information on current offers available see: My Carers Card.

As a preventative service, Carers can be referred by Carer Support Dorset, Rethink or Adult Social Care for Counselling.  The Leonardo Trust administers the Time to Talk service for 6 sessions at a cost of £17.50 per session to Dorset Council per session. Carers do not have to have received a Carers Assessment to access the service.

Carer support groups are available across Dorset. Talking to others who have been through similar experiences can be useful, it is also a great way of meeting new people.

To find out what groups are available contact the Carers Support Service (see above).

Short Breaks effectively provides a sitting service for the cared for person including personal care where required, whilst the Carer takes a short break. 

This is currently awarded to the Carer as respite but is under review.

Subject to a Carers Assessment determining eligible needs, short breaks can be provided for 20 hours a quarter, 80 hours a year at a cost of £355.03 a quarter.

The Short Break can be awarded via a Direct Payment where the Carer arranges their own care, or the provider can be found by Dorset Council’s internal Brokerage system.

Information about and the process of arranging carers direct payments can be found on the intranet:

ASC essentials – Direct Payments and Individual Service Funds 

A free magazine for Carers created by carers leads across health, social care and voluntary and community sector which is distributed across Dorset by BCP Council and Dorset Council twice a year.  This is in its 39^th year and has not been commissioned during 2022 - this service is currently under review.

Where there is complexity or safeguarding Carers Case Workers undertake the Carers Assessment, otherwise Adult Social Care locality roles complete them, sometimes as a joint assessment with the cared for person.

There are 9 Carers Caseworkers based across Dorset localities providing 1:1 support to Carers.

They also have other roles and responsibilities which vary depending on where they are based:

• Chair Provider Forums;
• Have strong links to their community partners and GP surgeries;
• Chair local peer support groups in some of the locality areas;
• Carers clinics in GP Surgeries;
• Links to hospital carers leads;
• Collaboration with charitable organisations;
• Dorset Council Carer Employee Network leads;
• Experts for colleagues in their locality/hospital based specialist team;
• Works in the community.

Personal Budgets for Carers are in development during 2022. There is a pilot underway to gain qualitative and quantitative data and learning to deliver the best scheme.  

For more information about the pilot, please contact Amanda Dunning, Carers Commissioning Lead using amanda.dunning@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk  

Carers are entitled to a Personal Budget to spend on their wellbeing where:       

• The Carer needs a break from their caring responsibilities to look after their own physical/mental health, emotional wellbeing, social and economic wellbeing; and
• To spend time with other members of the family and personal relationships (Care Act).

Examples on how to use a Personal Budget include but not exhaustive:

• A course of relaxation classes;
• Training on stress management;
• Gym or leisure membership;
• Adult learning;
• Development of new work skills or refreshing existing skills;
• Pursuit of hobbies such as purchasing a garden shed, or laptop to stay in touch with friends and family.

• Reduce social isolation;
• Connect with the local community;
• Respond to an immediate crisis;
• Access and appeal welfare benefit claims;
• Address rent arrears and other debts;
• Find more suitable accommodation;
• Prevent eviction;
• Resettle after a stay in hospital;
• They can also act as an advocate, linking with landlords, benefit agencies, the local council, or community groups.

Contact details:

Tel: 0330 123 2550

Email: fp.enquiries@theyoutrust.org.uk

Open Monday – Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.

• The Lantern Drop-In acts as an accessible gateway to all Lantern Crisis and Recovery Hub services as well as to many other services within the area of Weymouth and Portland;
• Drop-in support and guidance service supports people to maintain residency in their own home or other types of accommodation;
• Drop-in support to individuals experiencing mental health difficulties, who have a history of offending behaviour, addiction, homelessness, as well as a variety of personal crises;
• Provides support and guidance on a variety of topics, including transport, shopping, education, health, and discussions about parenting, relationship building, community involvement, and general welfare;
• Expertise in housing and benefit advice, mental health and wellbeing, especially in combination with other issues such as substance misuse and offending;
• Acts as a direct and easily accessible gateway, whilst retaining its position as an in-house provider of a comprehensive Housing & Resettlement Project with provision for internal referrals to other Lantern services provided in our Crisis and Recovery Hubs;

Outreach support to people with complex needs in the West Dorset area, linking them into local community support where possible.

Tel: 01305 787 940

Email: info@lanterntrust.org.uk

Open Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm.

To make a referral see: Referrals

Standard Community Response 

We match requests for support with people and groups in the community, including:

• Befriending – by phone or in person;
• Helping someone take part in a club/activity;
• Escorting someone out of the house;
• Driving a person to an appointment;
• Help with daily activities like meal preparation or cleaning;
• Furniture moving or removal including beds to facilitate hospital discharge;
• Help with furnishing properties when people are relocated;
• Help with cleaning and decluttering;
• Gardening – mowing, strimming, hedges;
• Handyperson – basic odd jobs;
• Signposting into services where people are facing eviction.

These services are available 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday and support will be arranged within 7 working days.

To make a referral see: Dorset’s Community Response. 

Urgent Community Response

We provide an urgent, same / next day service for up to 7 days, including:

• Prescription delivery;
• Shopping;
• Meal preparation;
• Welfare checks – by phone or in person;
• Pet care.

These services are available 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday and midday to 4pm at weekends and bank holidays.

To make a referral see: Dorset’s Community Response - (select Urgent Enquiries).

Professionals can make a referral using the professionals hotline: 01305 231 699.

• Meet with a patient on the ward and offer guidance and / or practical assistance to resolve issues that may be preventing them from returning home;
• Working in partnership with patients and community services to problem solve and identify sustainable solutions;
• Check their home and environment is safe and ready to return home;
• Link in with Dorset Council Housing Services and Landlords;
• Provie post discharge follow up support;
• Their GP and wider circle of support are aware that they are returning home;
• They have all of the appropriate financial support in place and they are confident with budgeting.

To make a referral please call: Faith Windle on 0330 1232550 or email fp.enquiries@theyoutrust.org.uk

The service operates Tuesday – Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Citizens Advice in Dorset provides free, independent and confidential advice and information. We offer a full range of advice and support including help with:  

• Welfare;
• Housing;
• Employment;
• Food insecurity;
• Immigration;
• Health conditions;
• Debt and money;
• Energy and fuel poverty;
• Family.

Contact details:

Tel:  0800 144 8848

Textphone: 0800 144 8884

PARAGON are a specialist team and our mission is ‘together empowering change’ for individuals, families, and our communities. 

Refuge and safe houses for female and child victims of domestic abuse

• Specialist refuge for women and children;
• Safe house for transwomen, women with older male children (up to age of 15).

Outreach

• Specialist community support.

Children

• Available to children in PARAGON accommodation aged 5-16;
• Practical and emotional support.

Recovery Groups

• In refuge and in the community, virtual or face to face;
• A range of accredited groups offering a safe space;
• Helping to understand trauma and how we respond;
• Sharing information and knowledge to better understand and deal with previous experiences.

Advocacy

• Attending meetings;
• Speaking with or on someone's behalf;
• Explaining the impact of violence and abuse to others so they can better understand the person’s response;
• Sharing our knowledge about domestic abuse and the impact of trauma.

Whole family support

• Working together with parents and children;
• Developing parenting strategies where domestic abuse has had a negative impact.

Securing legal options

• Help to look at the best ways of keeping safe and supporting with civil or criminal proceedings.

Counselling

• A team of specialist counsellors who work with victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

Partner support with Up2U and Choose2Change

 Ongoing support for the partners of people engaged with the behaviour change programme;

• Safety planning.

Health Advocacy

• Meeting with victims in the community after they leave hospital;
• Risk assessment;
• Safety planning;
• Training for health staff;
• Working in Dorset Hospitals.

Contact details:

Tel: 0800 032 5204
Email: ParagonDorset@theyoutrust.org.uk