SCIE Guide 33: Facts about FACS 2010: A guide to Fair Access to Care Services
Published: April 2010
Review date: April 2013
About this guide
The purpose of the SCIE guide 'Facts about FACS' 2010 is to provide information and support for those involved in implementing the 2010 fair access to care services (FACS) framework. The guide builds on the content of the Department of Health's Prioritising need in the context of Putting People First: A whole system approach to eligibility for social care (DH, 2010).
You can access all sections of the guide using the menu on the left.
Background
This was a focused Department of Health (DH) commission to re-write existing professional guidance on using FACS (Fair Access to Care Services).
Scoping and searching
No scope or searching was needed for this guide. Department of Health policy guidance was used to inform the new guidance.
Stakeholder involvement and consultation
SCIE consulted widely with sector leaders, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), provider and pressure groups. The guide was developed by SCIE with support from a project advisory group, on which Department of Health, NHS and local authority professionals, user and carer groups were represented.
Peer review and testing
The draft material for the guidance was tested with frontline social workers and managers.
Who is the guide aimed at?
The guide is aimed at anyone undertaking assessments or referrals for or on behalf of the councils with adult social services responsibilities (CASSRs), including:
- social workers, care managers, members of other professions and other staff using FACS to make key decisions about individuals and carers' eligibility for support
- first line managers who are responsible for overseeing the decisions being made in their organisations about people's eligibility for support
- staff handling complaints and appeals against FACS decisions
- trainers and educators of social work students, newly qualified social workers and those working in social care settings.
People using or seeking services and support, and their carers, parents of disabled children and relatives of others requesting or referred for adult services might wish to use the guide as well as the public information booklet Facts about FACS 2010: What you can expect.
The guide may also be helpful to other groups with an interest in the FACS system, including: local authority members, GPs, hospital and other NHS staff, managers and trust members, staff providing information and advice to people who want to use services, advocates, brokers and independent representatives and service providers, managers and workers in the private and voluntary sector.
Other FACS resources
The guide is supported by an interactive e-learning programme.
A public information booklet is also available for people using or seeking services, and their carers, as well as parents of disabled children and relatives of others requesting or referred for adult services.
