Review

1. Review Care Act 2014

2. Outline of content Introduction Keeping plans under review Planned review Unplanned review Requested review Revision of the plan Timeliness and regularity of reviews Summary

3. Introduction

4. Review • The aim of review is to ensure all people with a plan can reflect on: • what’s working and not working • what might need to change • The review process should be: • person-centred • outcomes focused • accessible • proportionate to the needs to be met • The process must involve the person needing care and the carer where feasible, and an independent advocate where relevant

5. Keeping plans under review

6. Routes to reviewing

7. Planned review

8. Unplanned review • A review should be conducted if circumstances have changed in a way that may affect the efficacy, appropriateness or content of the plan. For example: • a carer is no longer able to provide the same level of care • evidence of a deterioration of the person’s physical or mental wellbeing • a safeguarding alert • The person or their representatives should be kept fully involved and informed of what is occurring, the timescales involved and any likely consequences

9. Requested review • Upon receipt of a reasonable request to conduct a review, the local authority must consider this and judge the merits of conducting one • The authority must involve the person, carer and an independent advocate where relevant • A review should be performed unless the local authority is reasonably satisfied that the plan remains sufficient • If not conducting a review the reasons should set out in an accessible format along with details of how to pursue the matter if the person remains unsatisfied

10. Revision of the plan • The development of a revised plan must involve the person, their representative or independent advocate • Where a revision is necessary the local authority must, where appropriate, carry out a re-assessment, using the processes involved in the original assessment and care planning processes, revising the plan and personal budget accordingly • The re-assessment process should not start from the beginning, but pick up from what is already known about the person and should be proportionate

11. Timeliness and regularity of reviews • In the absence of any request for a review, or any indication that circumstances may have changed, the local authority should conduct a periodic review of plan no later than every 12 months • The review should be performed as quickly as is reasonably practicable • It should not contain any surprises and must not be used to arbitrarily reduce a care and support package • Any reduction to a personal budget should be theresult of a change in need or circumstance

12. Summary • The local authority is under an ongoing duty to keep the person’s plan under review • The whole review process should be person-centred, outcome focused, accessible and proportionate, and must involve the person • The right to request a review applies not just to the person receiving the care, but to others supporting them or interested in their wellbeing • Periodic reviews and reviews in general must not be used to arbitrarily reduce a care and support package