Current context
There are around 187,500 residents in Bury. This number has increased by 2,500 since the 2011 census. Vulnerable adults in Bury are people in the borough who have short or long term care and support needs. This can range from individuals with physical or learning disabilities, those living with autism, elderly people, or common and complex mental health issues. Based on projections, there are currently around 43,741 adults aged 18-64 in Bury living with a learning or physical disability, mental health issue, autism, or early onset dementia. There are around 33,500 people aged over 65. Around 6.5% are predicted to have dementia; 17% are unable to manage at least one activity on their own.
Given the wide range of conditions vulnerable adults in Bury live with, their needs are equally diverse. Many vulnerable adults require support to maintain their activities of daily living. This includes meal preparation and personal care. Some adults may need support to gain and maintain employment, whilst others may benefit greatly from peer support and activities which can reduce their social isolation. It is important to note that a large amount of support vulnerable adults receive is in the form of unpaid informal care by their family and friends.
There is a large selection of services commissioned by the Council, and provided by independent third sector organisations to assist vulnerable adults to increase their independence. To make people with care and support needs, their carers and their families aware of these services, The Bury Directory was launched in August 2014. This service promotes self care, encouraging people of all backgrounds, needs, and abilities to manage their own health and wellbeing to best of their ability. By offering health and social care information and advice, people with care and support needs, and their families or carers, can make informed choices.
However, both vulnerable adults and their carers are entitled to needs assessment by the Council to establish their level of need, and what advice, information or support the local authority can provide. Along with providing traditional care for eligible individuals, the council can signpost people to universal services so that they can continue to self care, and remain as independent as possible, for as long as possible. Personal budgets are available to eligible individuals to allow them to purchase their own care, goods, and services.
Some vulnerable adults may need support to understand information, express their needs and represent their interests to obtain the care and support they need. To provide such support, Bury Council recently commissioned the Bury Advocacy Hub. The Hub provides 3 types of statutory advocacy under the Mental Health Act 1983 (Amended 2007), the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Care Act 2014. It also provides a non-statutory function regarding housing, benefits and local authority complaints. Bury Council would like to see organisations, providers and businesses working in partnership with the Hub to ensure vulnerable adults have access to the information and support they need to make decisions about their care.
For more information and analysis on vulnerable adults please visit Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.
Forums
Provider forums are held and ran by Provider Relationship team and allow a dialogue to be held between commissioner and provider.
- Residential Care Forum
- Domiciliary Care Forum - Every 3 months from January 2015
Further information available from cwprocurement@bury.gov.uk.
Useful links
Due to the recent legislation changes, the responsibilities of the Council, its partners and providers have changed. Below are some useful links for providers on how these legislation changes may affect them.