Finding care & Funding Edinburgh
companionship offered by a private care company more appealing, even if it means paying a little extra.
If you choose a private care company, your local authority might still cover some required care services. This means that even if you’re self-funding your care, you won’t be responsible for the entire cost and still receive financial support from the local authority.
The amount the local authority contributes to your care depends on your care needs assessment and the level of support you require. You can then choose whether to receive direct local council payments and top-up payments.
Paying for care?
If you choose to cover your care costs, you have the option of direct payments from the local council and then topping up the remainder. This arrangement empowers you with the flexibility and independence to shape your care package and schedule your care visits according to your needs, instilling a sense of control and reassurance.
While the initial cost of home care may seem daunting, it’s important to remember that it can be significantly more affordable than residential care. Moreover, residential care costs are means-tested, making home care a potentially more economical choice depending on your financial situation. This understanding can provide a sense of relief and economic security.
Also read:
Paying for Homecare – The Costs of Home Help Care in Edinburgh
How to choose a care company?
Other organisations, such as homecare.co.uk, allow you to read verified reviews of the domiciliary care companies within your local authority. The City of Edinburgh Council can also provide you with a list of providers they work with.
Care fees vary from company to company, but at 1st Focus Homecare, we are committed to providing the best care possible at a competitive price, giving you peace of mind about the quality of care you or your loved one will receive.
If you feel that 1st Focus Homecare is a company you can trust, please contact our office on 0131 510 7878, where we can discuss your care needs. If we can help you or your loved one, we can arrange to meet you in person at your home to assess your care needs. Once an agreement is in place with you privately or via the local council, we will build you a care and support plan and agree on a start date.
How to access state funding for your care costs?
1st Focus Homecare can advise on accessing financial support from your local council and assist with social services direct payments.
Also read:
Scotland: The Social Care Crisis
What is a care needs assessment?
This assessment is carried out by a member of the social work department from your local council, who is responsible for assessing your care needs and determining your eligibility for financial support. You can organise this assessment by contacting your local council’s social work department, which is usually done through Social Care Direct.
When the social work department conducts a care needs assessment to determine whether a person is eligible for local authority funding, you must remember that they only assess for a personal care budget that covers the minimal requirements of your care needs. They will not fund other services such as home help or companionship.
During the assessment, they will discuss what support you need if your safety and independence are at high risk. For example, you may need help with essential personal care tasks like bathing and dressing. Where the risk is lower, they may not provide financial support but will give you information and advice.
This will be the case if you are having difficulties but can manage most aspects of daily living. They will need to meet with you to discuss your needs and will arrange to meet with you in your own home.
Care fees vary from company to company, but at 1st Focus Homecare, you receive the best care possible at a competitive price.
Your assessment
- 🗣️ Talk to you about your needs for support
- ✍️ Write down what is discussed
- 📄 Give you a copy of the completed assessment form
- 📝 Record your views if you do not agree with what is written down
- 📃 Provide you with a copy of the report
- 🔄 Possibly make more than one visit
- 🏥 Request permission to contact your GP or district nurse
- 🧾 Review all the information and decide what support they can offer
- 📢 Inform you of their decision
- 🧑⚖️ Discuss available options with you
- 📌 Use agreed eligibility criteria to guide their decision
- 🚨 Personal safety
- 🧼 Personal care and domestic tasks
- 👨👩👧👦 Family and social responsibilities
- 🤝 Carer needs
What are self-direct payments?
“Having more choice and control is empowering. We should all be equal partners in making decisions that affect us. This leads to more of us being confident and independent and achieving our aspirations for a happier, healthier and more fulfilled life. Support and care are vital in ensuring everyone can enjoy the same human rights – dignity, equal opportunity and access. And, having greater control of your life and decision-making leads to improved health and well-being.”
The Act requires local authorities to offer people four choices:
Option 1
You ask the local authority to provide you with a direct payment, also known as a personal budget, which you can use to pay for support from a company of your choice.
Option 2
Your funding is allocated to a provider of your choice, also known as an Individual Service Fund (ISF). You ask the care provider to manage the budget, although you oversee how you spend it. 1st Focus Homecare can organise this on your behalf through the local authority.
Option 3
The council can arrange a service for you. The council will manage the budget and choose the provider. This does not mean you automatically get council carers. Local authorities sub-contract to private companies, and in the case of Option 3, you are allocated the company and do not have an involvement in the choice.
Option 4
You ask the local authority for a mix of these options for different types of support.
What’s Next?
If we can help you or your loved one, we can arrange to meet you in person at your home to assess your care needs. We can arrange homecare for you or a family member and advise you on accessing the local authority’s financial assessment and direct payments. Not everyone can afford to pay for their care, but the local council can provide direct payments, allowing people to organise their budget to choose from the various home care providers in the Edinburgh area.
Once we have assessed your care needs, we can build your care plan to deliver care and support to the highest standards everyone should have access to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access home care services in Edinburgh?
You can access home care services by contacting private providers like 1st Focus Homecare or requesting support from your local council’s social work department.
What is a care needs assessment?
A care needs assessment is conducted by the local council to evaluate your level of support needs and determine eligibility for personal care funding.
Is personal care free in Scotland?
Yes, for individuals over 65, personal care is free in Scotland and is not means-tested, although other services may incur additional charges.
Can I combine council funding with private care services?
Yes, even if you self-fund, you may receive partial support from the council through direct payments or a personal care budget.
What are direct payments and how do they work?
Direct payments allow you to receive funds from the council to pay for care services from a provider of your choice, offering more control over your care plan.
How much does home care cost in Edinburgh?
Home care fees typically range between £28 and £40 per hour depending on the provider, the type of care, and service complexity.
What are the four self-directed support options in Scotland?
The four options are: 1) direct payments, 2) individual service funds (ISF), 3) council-arranged services, and 4) a mix of these options.
What happens during a social work assessment meeting?
A social worker, occupational therapist or care assistant discusses your support needs, writes a report, and determines eligibility for funding based on safety, care tasks, and independence risk.
Why choose private care over council care?
Private care offers greater flexibility, choice of provider, and often higher levels of personalisation and companionship services compared to council-arranged care.
Can 1st Focus Homecare help with funding applications?
Yes, 1st Focus Homecare can guide you through applying for council funding, care assessments, and setting up direct payments or ISF arrangements.