Prioritising need in the context of Putting people first: a whole system approach to eligibility for social care: guidance on eligibility criteria for adult social care, England 2010

The aim of this revised guidance is to assist councils with adult social services responsibilities to determine eligibility for adult social care, in a way that is fair, transparent and consistent, accounting for the needs of their local community as a whole as well as individuals’ need for support. It replaces Fair Access to Care Services: guidance on eligibility criteria for adult social care which was issued in 2003, and has been written in the light of recommendations made in the Commission for Social Care Inspection’s review Cutting the Cake Fairly. This revised guidance aims to set social care eligibility criteria within the context of both the new direction of policy established by Putting People First, and more generally within a broader theme of public service reform. Priorities for this reform include greater choice and control, better access to public services and information, empowerment of people using services and their carers at local level and the definition of user satisfaction as a key measure of success.