The reablement service

The service is not means-tested. It is only offered to people who we believe will see improvements within six weeks. This is because not everyone will be able to learn or re-learn skills. 

It helps you feel more confident, in control, and ready to get back to your normal life. Being independent means doing things for yourself, like washing and cooking. This can take time.

But, with support from family, friends, or health professionals, you can make progress, step by step. The more you can do on your own, the stronger and more capable you’ll feel.

Who qualifies for the service?

Reablement is not appropriate for everyone. It's only for those who can, in the short term, regain full or significant independence. The service can be provided after an initial assessment by a social care worker. The service is available to Harrow residents aged 18 and over who:

• Are returning home after spending time in hospital due to a bout of illness, surgery, or a fall.
• Are feeling frail and in need of support to remain at home. Or, they may be losing health and function, and need more support.
• Are discharged from hospital to a temporary placement. This is sometimes called a “step-down” bed, and need help getting home.

If you meet either of the following criteria, you may be eligible for reablement:

• Already receiving social care services. And you have been discharged from hospital.
• Have changing health and functional abilities. These may need an increased level of support at home.

If you are suitable for reablement, your home care will be paused. This will include any financial contributions you make towards that care. This will be for the duration of the reablement period.

The reablement support will be free of charge. People leaving hospital with severe health or care needs will not qualify for the service. This is because it will not help to improve their situation.

What is included in the service?

A care worker will ask about the issues that prevent your independence. They'll tell you how to overcome your challenges. Together you'll draw up a reablement plan. It will set out realistic goals and the support needed. It will also refer to equipment that could help, like a fall detector.

The support is then delivered by trained reablement workers. As you improve, the amount of help will be gradually reduced. Your reablement plan is tailored to your needs and situation. It can be as short as a few days or last several weeks. Reablement services can include:

• Practising activities such as cooking and bathing. This will help you learn, or re-learn skills and boost your confidence.
• Finding new ways to complete daily activities.
• Equipment or home adaptations, such as a personal alarm (to call for help), or a bath rail or board.

When is the service not available?

Reablement is not for everyone leaving hospital. It is only for those who can regain, in the short term, full or significant independence.

Those who will take over six weeks to recover are unlikely to get reablement services. This might include those recovering from a hip replacement or a broken bone.

Qualifying for reablement can only be decided by our adult social care staff. They can also tell you who qualifies for reablement. If you do not qualify, they will explain why. They will be happy to answer any queries you may have.

If you do not qualify but need support, we will refer you to the relevant team for help. We must assess your finances and assets. This is to see if you qualify for help with the cost of any future care. We can help you find private organisations that provide further aid.

How much does it cost?

If our assessment finds reablement suitable for you, we'll help for up to six weeks. It will be free of charge. We hope you'll be able to manage on your own after reablement ends.

If you need longer-term support, we will discuss options with you. You will need to meet the Care Act eligibility criteria. This Act sets national guidelines on who can receive social care services.

If you are eligible, a financial assessment will be carried out. It will check your savings and assets to see if you qualify for help. If you get support while waiting for the assessment, you may need to contribute.

A social care worker will guide you through this process. You can also have an advocate to support you.

What happens at the end of reablement?

A social worker or care manager will review your progress. They will identify any ongoing needs. It’s possible that you will get more help after the reablement period is over.

If you were not using our care services before reablement:

An adult social care worker will meet with you as your reablement service comes to an end. If it's relevant, and you agree, informal carers and family can also be present.

The chat will be about how you're managing and if you feel confident to do things for yourself. The aim is to make you independent. We want you to need no further services when reablement ends. If longer term support is required, we will explore options.

If you are eligible, a financial assessment will be carried out. It will check your savings and assets to see if you qualify for help. A social care worker will guide you through this process.

If you get support while waiting for the assessment, you may need to contribute.

If you were receiving care (home care) before reablement:

An adult social care worker will meet with you as your reablement service comes to an end. If it's relevant, and you agree, informal carers and family can also be present.

The chat will be about how successful the goals set for your reablement have been. There are a few possible outcomes:

• You may become independent and need no further support.

• Your social care needs may be reduced. Your home care services can be restarted. If relevant in your case, you will need to pay a contribution towards them.

• You may still need an increased level of support. The adult social care worker will discuss your care needs. They will update your support plan. They will restart those services with any contribution you pay towards them.

• If you had home care before reablement, organised by us, we will try to restart it with the original provider. This will depend on their capacity at the time.