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Think Local Act Personal

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) is a national partnership of more than 50 organisations committed to transforming health and care through personalisation and community-based support.

The partnership spans central and local government, social care providers, the NHS, and the voluntary and community sector as well as people with lived experience, through the National Co-production Advisory Group (NCAG).

The work is coordinated by a small core team. Policy advisors are responsible for producing resources from different partnership members around the themes of commissioning, self-directed support, and community-centred approaches. This puts us in the unique position of bringing together people who use services and carers with national organisations.

TLAP produces a Care and Support Jargon Buster - a directory of Plain English definitions of commonly used words and phrases in health and social care. The Jargon Buster's homepage also includes a blog post - Daring to drop the jargon - which explains more about the need for the jargon buster.

TLAP is hosted by partner organisation Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE).

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'I' statement

Think Local Act Personal: Six themes of Making it Real

WELLBEING AND INDEPENDENCE -LIVING THE LIFE I WANT, KEEPING SAFE AND WELL These I statements focus on people’s expectations to live a fulfilling life, connected to family, friends and community, with support that promotes wellbeing and independence. I can live the life I want and do the things that are important to me as independently as possible. I am treated with respect and dignity. I feel safe and am supported to understand and manage any risks. I am supported to manage my health in a way that makes sense to me. I have people in my life who care about me – family, friends and people in my community. I am valued for the contribution that I make to my community. I have a place I can call home, not just a ‘bed’ or somewhere that provides me with care. I live in a home which is accessible and designed so that I can be as independent as possible.

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'I' statement

Think Local Act Personal: Six themes of Making it Real

INFORMATION AND ADVICE -HAVING THE INFORMATION I NEED, WHEN I NEED IT These I statements focus on people’s need for information so they can get on with their lives. I can get information and advice that helps me think about and plan my life. I can get information and advice about my health and how I can be as well as possible – physically, mentally and emotionally. I can get information and advice that is accurate, up to date and provided in a way that I can understand. I know about the activities, social groups, leisure and learning opportunities in my community, as well as health and care services. I know what my rights are and can get information and advice on all the options for my health, care and housing. I know how to access my health and care records and decide which personal information can be shared with other people, including my family, care staff, school or college.

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'I' statement

Think Local Act Personal: Six themes of Making it Real

ACTIVE AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES -KEEPING FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CONNECTIONS These I statements are about people leading a full and meaningful life connected to family, friends and their community. I have people who support me, such as family, friends and people in my community. I can meet people who share my interests and have the opportunity to join and participate in a range of groups. I feel welcome and safe in my local community and can join in community life and activities that are important to me. I have opportunities to learn, volunteer and work and can do things that match my interests, skills and abilities. I can keep in touch and meet up with people who are important to me, including family, friends and people who share my interests, identity and culture. I have a co-produced personal plan that sets out how I can be as active and involved in my community as possible.

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'I' statement

Think Local Act Personal: Six themes of Making it Real

FLEXIBLE AND INTEGRATED CARE AND SUPPORT -MY SUPPORT, MY OWN WAY I STATEMENTS I have care and support that enables me to live as I want to, seeing me as a unique person with skills, strengths and personal goals. I am in control of planning my care and support. If I need help with this, people who know and care about me are involved. I know how much money is available to meet my care and support needs. I can decide how it’s used – whether it’s my own money, a health or social care personal budget, or a budget managed on my behalf. I have care and support that is coordinated and everyone works well together and with me. I can choose who supports me, and how, when and where my care and support is provided. I can get skilled advice and support to understand how my care and support budgets work and enable me to make the best use of the money available. I can get skilled advice and support to recruit and manage my personal assistants, whether I employ them or an organisation does.

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'I' statement

Think Local Act Personal: Six themes of Making it Real

WHEN THINGS NEED TO CHANGE -STAYING IN CONTROL I STATEMENTS I am supported to plan ahead for important changes in life that I can anticipate. When I move between services, settings or areas, there is a plan for what happens next and who will do what, and all the practical arrangements are in place before change happens. If I move from my home to another place, the people who are important to me are respected, listened to, supported and involved in decisions. • If my medication has to change, I know why and am involved in the decision. • I can plan ahead and stay in control in emergencies. I know who to contact and how to contact them and people follow my advance wishes and decisions as much as possible. • I know what to do and who I can contact when I realise that things might be at risk of going wrong or my health condition may be worsening.

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'I' statement

Think Local Act Personal: Six themes of Making it Real

WORKFORCE -THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT ME I STATEMENTS I am supported by people who see me as a unique person with strengths, abilities and aspirations. I am supported by people who listen carefully so they know what matters to me and how to support me to live the life I want. I am supported to make decisions by people who see things from my point of view, with concern for what matters to me, my wellbeing and health. I have considerate support delivered by competent people.

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'I' statements

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

What good care and support looks like from your perspective, with your feelings, beliefs and experiences expressed as a statement that begins with the word 'I'. For example: 'I am in control of planning my care and support.'

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'We' statement

Think Local Act Personal: Six themes of Making it Real

'We' statements express what organisations should be doing to make sure people’s actual experience of care and support lives up to the 'I' statements.

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'We' statement

Think Local Act Personal: Six themes of Making it Real

WELLBEING AND INDEPENDENCE -LIVING THE LIFE I WANT, KEEPING SAFE AND WELL WE STATEMENTS - We have conversations with people to discover what they want from life and the care, support and housing that will enable this, without restricting solutions to formal services and conventional treatments. - We work with people to make sure that their personal plans promote wellbeing and enable them to be as independent as possible. - We work with people to manage risks by thinking creatively about options for safe solutions that enable people to do things that matter to them. - We know it can be helpful for people to share experiences so we encourage specialised support, peer support, self-help and self-advocacy groups. - We welcome ideas about using personal budgets flexibly and creatively. - We look for ways to involve people in their communities where they feel included and valued for their contribution. - We make sure people feel safe and comfortable in their own home, which is accessible, with appropriate aids, adaptations, technology and medical equipment. - We know that the place where people live, the people they live with, and the support they get, are important to their wellbeing and often interlinked. We have conversations with people to make sure we get all aspects right for them as individuals.

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'We' statement

Think Local Act Personal: Six themes of Making it Real

INFORMATION AND ADVICE - HAVING THE INFORMATION I NEED, WHEN I NEED IT WE STATEMENTS - We provide free information and advice to everyone, including people who arrange or fund their own support and care. - We provide accurate and up-to-date information in formats that we tailor to individual needs, face to face if necessary. - We talk to people to find out how much information they want and follow up to find out if they want more detail. - We provide information and advice about health, social care and housing which is tailored to a person’s situation without limiting their options and choices. - We provide information and advice that reflects relevant law and/or clinical guidance. - We provide information to make sure people know how to navigate the local health, care and housing system, including how to get more information or advice if needed. - We make sure people know their legal rights and responsibilities. - We tell people about person-centred approaches to planning and managing their support and make sure that they have the information, advice and support to think through what will work best for them. - We provide information about what’s happening in our local community and how people can get involved. We always include a contact name, telephone number and email address when giving advice or information electronically. - We make sure we share information about what we do and how people can access our service with other relevant organisations so we can all work more effectively. - We tell people about their rights to see their health and social care records and to ask for any mistakes to be put right. - We get permission before sharing personal information.

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'We' statement

Think Local Act Personal: Six themes of Making it Real

ACTIVE AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES - KEEPING FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CONNECTIONS WE STATEMENTS - We make sure that people can keep in touch and meet up with their family, friends and people in the community who are important to them. - We make sure that people have opportunities to make new friends and build relationships with other people who share their interests, culture and identity. - We work in partnership with others to make our local area welcoming, supportive and inclusive for everyone. - We work in partnership with others to create opportunities for people to work, both paid and voluntary, and to learn. - We have a clear picture of all the community groups and resources in our area and use this when supporting people and planning services. - We invest in community groups, supporting them with resources – not necessarily through funding – but with things like a place to meet or by sharing learning, knowledge or skills. - We make sure that personalised care and support plans are co-produced and set out how people can be as active and involved in their community as possible, doing things that are important to them.

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'We' statement

Think Local Act Personal: Six themes of Making it Real

FLEXIBLE AND INTEGRATED CARE AND SUPPORT - MY SUPPORT, MY OWN WAY WE STATEMENTS - We work in partnership with others to make sure that all our services work seamlessly together from the perspective of the person accessing services. - We work with others to agree a single, integrated personal plan and provide a named coordinator for people accessing more than one service. - We talk with people to find out what matters most to them, their strengths and what they want to achieve and build these into their personalised care and support plans. - We work with people as equal partners and combine our respective knowledge and experience to support joint decision-making. - We tell people about their rights to advocacy and representation and make sure these services are available. - We want people to be as involved as possible in writing their personalised care and support plans and provide help from people who understand the importance of personcentred planning. - We make sure that people can rely on and build relationships with the people who work with them and get consistent support at times that make sense for them. - We work flexibly to meet people’s fluctuating requirements for care and support, enabling the flexible use of personal budgets over time and with minimal restrictions. - We review people’s personalised care and support plans with them regularly, focusing on whether they are doing the things they identified as important to them. - We make sure that our organisational policies and procedures reflect the duties and spirit of the law and do not inadvertently restrict people’s choice and control.

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'We' statement

Think Local Act Personal: Six themes of Making it Real

WHEN THINGS NEED TO CHANGE - STAYING IN CONTROL WE STATEMENTS - We support people to plan for important life changes, so they can have enough time to make informed decisions about their future. - We make sure that staff working in short-term settings or situations understand people’s care, treatment and support requirements and work in a person-centred way. - We talk to people during and after significant changes to find out if their requirements for care, support and housing have changed and to review their aspirations. - We talk through changes in treatment or medication with people so they understand the changes and possible implications or side effects, seeing people holistically in the context of their life. - We work with people to write a plan for emergencies and make sure that everyone involved in supporting the person knows what to do and who to contact in a health or social care emergency. We make sure that any people or animals that depend on the person are looked after and supported properly. - We make sure that people, and those closest to them, know what to do and who to contact if their health condition, support arrangements or housing conditions are deteriorating and a crisis could develop. We respond quickly to anyone raising concerns.

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'We' statement

Think Local Act Personal: Six themes of Making it Real

WORKFORCE - THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT ME WE STATEMENTS - We don’t make assumptions about what people can or cannot do and don’t limit or restrict people’s options. - We see people as individuals with unique strengths, abilities, aspirations and requirements and value people’s unique backgrounds and cultures. - We know how to have conversations with people that explore what matters most to them – how they can achieve their goals, where and how they live, and how they can manage their health, keep safe and be part of the local community. - We have a ‘can do’ approach which focuses on what matters to people and we think and act creatively to make things happen for them. - We keep up to date with local activities, events, groups and learning opportunities and share this knowledge so that people have the chance to be part of the local community.

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Abuse

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Harm that is caused by anyone who has power over another person, which may include family members, friends, unpaid carers and health or social care workers. It can take various forms, including physical harm or neglect, and verbal, emotional or sexual abuse. Adults at risk can also be the victim of financial abuse from people they trust. Abuse may be carried out by individuals or by the organisation that employs them.

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Accelerated access collaborative

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A group of health professionals who work with NHS England to speed up new treatments becoming available to patients on the NHS. They identify specific health conditions and types of treatment as priorities, and make sure that these treatments are developed and agreed for use as quickly as possible.

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Accelerated access pathway

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A fast-track route for new medicines and treatments to reach patients on the NHS. Medicines with the greatest potential to be effective could be available on the NHS up to four years earlier than under the usual process.

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Access

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

The opportunity to use, get or benefit from something. If you have a disability, you may need changes to be made to enable you to have full access to everything in your community, including services, facilities and information.

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Access to Work

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A scheme run by the Government that provides practical advice and financial support to help you work if you have a disability. It can pay for things like someone to help you communicate at a job interview, special equipment to help you do the job, or additional travel costs if you are unable to use public transport. How much you receive depends on your circumstances. You can find details of your local access to work centre at: https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/how-to-claim

Further information

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Accountability

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

When a person or organisation is responsible for ensuring that things happen, and is expected to explain what happened and why.

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Acquired impairment

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A disability that you are not born with but is caused, or develops during your life, by an injury or illness. SEE ALSO: Congenital disorder Impairment

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Activated patient

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Someone who has a good understanding of their health condition and the treatment they are receiving, and is able to communicate confidently with the professionals who are caring for them. They do not just receive care but are actively involved in looking after their own health. SEE ALSO: Expert Patients Programme (EPP)

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Active listening

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A way of listening that enables you to be fully heard, especially if you have dementia or difficulties with communication. Someone who is actively listening to you will be making eye contact, not interrupting, giving you their full attention, not doing other things, and checking with you that they understand what you are saying.

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Active participation

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

When you are included in decisions about your care and support, and have a say in how you live your life and how you want to spend your time.When you are included in decisions about your care and support, and have a say in how you live your life and how you want to spend your time.

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Active support

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Support for people with a learning disability that enables them to take part in all types of activities of daily life, not just 'therapy'. It focuses on activities that are appropriate for the person's age and is based on what they can and want to do.

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Activities of daily living

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Things you do every day to look after yourself, such as eating, washing, dressing and using the toilet. An assessment of your needs will look at how well you can manage your activities of daily living, and what help and support you need. SEE ALSO: Assessment

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Acute care

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Health care that you receive in hospital following an injury, operation or illness. It is different to any care you may receive for an ongoing health condition from your GP, community nurse or other professionals in the community where you live.

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Adequate security

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

If you are considering a 'deferred payment' agreement with your local council to fund your own care, the council will need to make sure that you can afford to repay them when the time comes - this is called making sure there is 'adequate security' for the agreement. This security may be the value of your house, or a valuable possession (for example, a piece of art or jewellery), or someone who can guarantee that payment will be made. Councils must publish a policy saying what types of security they will accept. SEE ALSO: Deferred payments

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Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A tool that the Department of Health in England uses to measure how well your local care and support services are doing in helping local people achieve the outcomes that matter most to them. It should help councils improve the services they offer.

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Adult at risk

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

An adult who is in need of extra support because of their age, disability, or physical or mental ill-health, and who may be unable to protect themselves from harm, neglect or exploitation. SEE ALSO: Safeguarding

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Adult placement

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

When an adult with a disability or mental health problem lives in an ordinary home with an individual or family who provides them with a place to live and support. It is like a fostering arrangement for adults: adult placement carers must be checked and approved, and the arrangement is monitored by the local council. People may be placed in someone's home for a short break or on a permanent basis.

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Adult social care

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Care and support for adults who need extra help to manage their lives and be independent - including older people, people with a disability or long-term illness, people with mental health problems, and carers. Adult social care includes assessment of your needs, provision of services or allocation of funds to enable you to purchase your own care and support. It includes residential care, home care, personal assistants, day services, the provision of aids and adaptations and personal budgets.

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Advance care planning

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Thinking ahead about your wishes and preferences for your future treatment and care, and making sure that other people know what you want. It is an opportunity to think about what is important to you, and to let other people know about things you would - or would not - like to happen as you approach the end of your life. SEE ALSO: Advance statement

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Advance decision to refuse treatment

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A decision you make about what medical treatment you would or would not want in the future, if you were unable to make decisions because of illness or because you lacked capacity to consent. Unlike an advance statement, it is legally binding in England and Wales. If you are thinking about making an advance decision, you should talk about this with your family and your GP. SEE ALSO: Advance statement

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Advance statement

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A written document that lets people know what your wishes, feelings and preferences are about your future care and support, in case you become unable to tell them. (It may also be included in your support plan.) It can cover any aspect of your care, such as where you want to live and how you like to do things. You can write it yourself, with support from your family, friends, doctor and anyone else you wish. It isn't a legal document, but it may help you get the care and support you want. It is different to an 'advance decision' about medical treatment, which is a decision you can make now about whether you want a particular type of treatment in the future. SEE ALSO: Support plan

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Adverse drug reaction

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Unexpected harm caused to you by taking a particular medicine, either from a single dose or from ongoing use.

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Adverse event

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

When something happens that isn't planned and causes harm, or puts people or organisations at risk of harm. SEE ALSO: Duty of candour Risk management

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Advocacy

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Help to enable you to get the care and support you need that is independent of your local council. An advocate can help you express your needs and wishes, and weigh up and take decisions about the options available to you. They can help you find services, make sure correct procedures are followed and challenge decisions made by councils or other organisations. The advocate is there to represent your interests, which they can do by supporting you to speak, or by speaking on your behalf. They do not speak for the council or any other organisation. If you wish to speak up for yourself to make your needs and wishes heard, this is known as self-advocacy.

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Affective disorder

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A type of mental illness that affects a person's mood or feelings. The main examples are depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety, which may be mild or severe.

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After-care

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Support that is provided in your home, or in the community you live in, after you leave hospital. The term is used in relation to mental health to refer to specific support you may receive, free of charge, from a community psychiatric nurse, counselling, therapy, or support with employment, accommodation, family relationships, finances and other things.

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Age discrimination

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

If you are treated differently because of your age, and not offered the same opportunities as other people. SEE ALSO: Discrimination

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Agency

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

An independent organisation that provides care and support services, such as care in your own home. It is not part of your local council. The council may arrange for care and support to be provided for you by a local agency, or you can arrange this yourself. SEE ALSO: Home care Independent sector

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Aids and adaptations

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Help to make things easier for you around the home. If you are struggling or disabled, you may need special equipment to enable you to live more comfortably and independently. You may also need changes to your home to make it easier and safer to get around. Aids and adaptations include things like grab rails, ramps, walk-in showers and stair-lifts.

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Alert

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

When a concern is raised that a vulnerable adult may be a victim of abuse or neglect. This concern may be caused by what someone has said, or what has been seen. Anyone can raise an alert, and to do so you should contact the adults' services department of the local council. If you believe a crime has been committed, you should talk to the police about it.

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Alliance contracting

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

When there is a single agreement (a contract) between a commissioner and a group of organisations who provide different services. The organisations work together, rather than competing with each other, and aim for the same outcomes.

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Allied health professionals

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

People who provide different types of health care who are not doctors, nurses or pharmacists. The description includes a wide range of roles, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, podiatrists and others.

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Allocated case

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

When responsibility for assessing your care and support needs is given to a named worker, who will continue to work with you until you no longer need their help.

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Ambulatory care

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Health care such as tests or treatment that you receive in hospital as an outpatient, without having to stay in overnight.

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Any Qualified Provider

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A scheme in some areas where you may be able to choose who provides a health service you need, and the NHS will pay for it. You make your choice from a list of organisations, including charities and private organisations, that the NHS has decided provide a good quality service. Different types of services are included - for example, hearing tests or pain management services. It is up to the NHS in your area whether they offer this.

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Appearance of needs

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

When it appears that you may need some care or support, the law (Care Act 2014) says that you are entitled to have an assessment. No-one should decide whether you need care and support before an assessment has taken place, and if you appear to need help, then you should have your needs assessed.

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Appointee service

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

​A service that your council may offer to manage your money for you, if you are unable to do this yourself and have no family or friends who can help you. The council can receive benefit payments on your behalf, and arrange the payment of your living costs. You may have to pay the council a fee to provide this service.

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Appreciative inquiry

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A way of finding out what works well in a particular setting, and using this information to improve the service people are offered. It is about building on what is working, rather than focusing on problems.

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Appropriate adult

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Someone over the age of 18 who stays with you if you have a mental health problem or disability, or are perceived as 'vulnerable', and are held by the police for any reason. This person, who should not work for the police, is there to support you and help you understand what is happening.

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Approved mental health professional

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A professional with specialist training who can be called on to arrange for a person to have their mental health assessed, to decide whether they should be admitted to hospital for their own safety or the safety of others. The approved professional's main job may be social worker, occupational therapist, community mental health nurse or psychologist.

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Arms length body

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

An organisation that is not part of the Government but carries out a task that the Government has given it. It is funded by the Government, and may be a large or small organisation.

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Assertive outreach team

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A specialist service that may be offered in the place where you live if you have severe mental health needs that affect your ability to manage your daily life. The team is made up of highly experienced staff, who can help you cope with all aspects of daily living, such as shopping, cooking, cleaning, taking medicine, finding education or employment, or finding somewhere to live. You are likely to be referred to an AOT by your community mental health team rather than your GP.

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Assessment

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

The process of working out what your needs are. A community care assessment looks at how you are managing everyday activities such as looking after yourself, household tasks and getting out and about. You are entitled to an assessment if you have social care needs, and your views are central to this process.

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Assessment and treatment unit

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

An inpatient unit that someone with a learning disability or mental health problem may go into for a short period, while their needs are assessed and plans are made to meet these needs. It should not become a person's permanent home. There are various reasons why a person may go into an assessment and treatment unit, including their existing placement coming to an end or their behaviour becoming a challenge for the people who care for them. The unit may be run by the NHS or by the independent sector.

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Asset-based approach

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A way of helping people by looking at what they have, rather than what they lack. This approach helps people make use of their existing skills, knowledge and relationships. It is also called a 'strengths-based approach', and can be used as a way of improving local areas, by promoting what is good about an area rather than focusing on problems. See also co-production.

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Asset-based community development

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Making use of what a community already has (such as existing organisations and resources), and using these things to make the area better for the people who live there. The aim is to look at what communities have, rather than what they lack. It has been described as 'using what's strong to deal with what's wrong'.

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Asset-mapping

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Working with individuals and communities to look at the positive things that people and communities have, and at what they are able to do rather than what they lack. These positive things - assets - include people's knowledge and skills, local community organisations and the connections that exist between people.

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Assets

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Things you have that may be valuable in money terms (such as a house), or useful in other ways (such as particular skills, knowledge or relationships).

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Assisted discharge

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Help that you may be offered if you are well enough to go home from hospital but if you don't have much support at home - for example, if you live on your own. This service may be provided by a home care service or by volunteers, who can help you get home from hospital and get settled in your home, preparing food and doing any necessary shopping for you.

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Assisted living

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Housing for older or disabled people, usually privately owned, where you have your own apartment within a larger development, and support (such as help with meals or laundry) is provided to meet your own particular needs.

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Assisted living technology

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Products that are designed to help you live independently in your own home.

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Assistive and adaptive technology

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Devices or equipment to help you do things if you have a disability. The term often refers to systems that help people communicate if they have problems with speaking.

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Assistive technology

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Equipment that helps you carry out daily activities and manage more easily and safely in your own home. Examples include electronic medicine dispensers, memory prompts, 'big button' telephones or remote controls, and pendant alarms for wearing around your neck or wrist. It also includes equipment that can detect potential hazards in your home, such as a fire or flood, or that can alert a carer or the emergency services in the event of a fall or seizure.

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Asymptomatic

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

When you don't show any signs of being ill, even though you may be infected with a disease such as coronavirus. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that as many as 25 per cent of people infected with coronavirus may not show symptoms.

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A condition where an individual finds it hard to concentrate, may be over-active and can struggle to manage their behaviour. It is not the same as a learning disability. The condition can be managed with good support and sometimes medication. SEE ALSO: Neurodiversity

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Audit

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A check to make sure that care is being provided in the way that it should be. An audit lets the care provider and people who use the service know what is being done well and where there could be improvements.

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Authorised person

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Someone who can request direct payments from a local council on behalf of a person who does not have capacity to do this themselves. This person must act in your best interests and be able to manage your direct payments for you.

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Autism spectrum disorder

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A condition that someone is born with that affects their ability to communicate and interact with the world around them. It is also called autism, and covers a wide range of symptoms. It affects people in different ways, and some individuals need much more help and support than others.

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Autism strategy

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A national plan covering all of England that explains what the Government is doing to make sure that adults with autism get the help they need with things such as living independently and finding employment. The autism strategy tells local councils and health services what they should do to help support autistic adults. Many councils have their own autism strategy setting out what they will do to improve the lives of autistic adults in their area.

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Autonomy

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Having control and choice over your life and the freedom to decide what happens to you. Even when you need a lot of care and support, you should still be able to make your own choices and should be treated with dignity.

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Avoidable admission

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

If you have an unplanned hospital stay that could have been prevented with care given in your community or at home.

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Background support

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

On-call or emergency support that is available on site in extra-care or supported housing, in case it is needed by residents. It is separate to the personal care you may receive in these places that is for your specific needs. The cost of providing background support may be added as an additional charge to your extra-care or supported housing, if you pay for this.

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Barred list

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

An official list of people who are unsuitable to work or volunteer with children or with adults who may be at risk of harm or abuse, because of their past record. If you employ someone regularly to provide personal care, you should expect them to have completed a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which will show whether they are on the barred list or not.

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Beacon service

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A service that highlights how something can be done differently and better, and shares what it has learned with other organisations.

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Behaviour disorders

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

When someone's behaviour is persistently different to what is usually accepted, and causes difficulties for the individual and the people around them. Symptoms may include disruptive, antisocial or aggressive behaviour, poor relationships, and problems with concentrating and paying attention.

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Behaviour support plan

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A written document to help support a child or adult with a disability who behaves in a way that other people find difficult. It should go everywhere with them. The plan should explain how to help the person communicate, and how to help them get what they need. It should also describe the kind of situations the person finds difficult and explain what can be done to make things easier for them.

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Behavioural intervention

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A type of therapy that aims to help a person understand and change their behaviour, if it is causing problems for them.

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Benchmark

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A way of comparing the same type of service in different places. The level of quality that every service should provide is set as a 'benchmark', and each service is measured against it and compared. 'Benchmarking' in this way should help services to work out how they can do things better and where they are doing well.

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Best interests

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Other people should act in your 'best interests' if you are unable to make a particular decision for yourself (for example, about your health or your finances). The law does not define what 'best interests' might be, but gives a list of things that the people around you must consider when they are deciding what is best for you. These include your wishes, feelings and beliefs, the views of your close family and friends on what you would want, and all your personal circumstances.

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Best interests assessor

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

An independent person who looks at whether someone who lacks capacity and is in hospital or a care home is there for the right reasons, and whether it is in their best interests to stay there.

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Best practice

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A way of doing something that has been shown to be the most effective way of doing it.

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Better Care Exchange

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

An online community - like a social network - for everyone who is involved in bringing health and social care services together in a local area. It is an opportunity to share queries, concerns and information about the Better Care Fund.

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Better Care Fund

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Money that has been given by the Government to local areas to make the NHS and local councils in England work together better. The aim is to improve your experience by moving care out of hospital and into your home and sharing information so that everyone involved in your care understands what your needs are.

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Block contract

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

An agreement between a commissioner (such as a council) and an organisation to provide a service to a number of people, for a fixed amount of time, for a fixed sum of money. The number of people who receive the service may not be fixed, and the exact type of care and support they receive may not be specified. This type of contract is not tailored to people's individual needs.

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Block purchase

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

When an organisation such as your local council pays a provider for a service for a group of people with a particular need. Because block purchases guarantee an amount of work for a provider, services usually cost the council less. However, individual people who use these services may not have much choice about who provides their care or what they receive.

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Broker

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Someone whose job it is to provide you with advice and information about what services are available in your area, so that you can choose to purchase the care and support that best meets your needs. They can also help you think about different ways that you can get support, for example by making arrangements with friends and family. A broker can help you think about what you need, find services and work out the cost. Brokerage can be provided by local councils, voluntary organisations or private companies.

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Caldicott guardian

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A senior person in an NHS organisation or local council who is responsible for making sure that your personal health and care information is kept confidential, and is not shared with anyone who does not need to see it. The law says that all NHS organisations and councils that provide social care services must have a Caldicott guardian. The name comes from the person who chaired a government review of confidential information in the 1990s, Dame Fiona Caldicott.

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Capabilities

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

What you are able to do, what your strengths are, and what you might be able to do if you had support or assistance.

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Capacity

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

The ability to make your own choices and decisions. In order to do this, you need to be able to understand and remember information, and communicate clearly - whether verbally or non-verbally - what you have decided. A person may lack capacity because of a mental health problem, dementia or learning disability.

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Capacity to consent

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

'Consent' is when you give your permission to someone to do something to you or for you. 'Capacity' is your ability to understand what you are being asked to decide, to make a decision and to communicate that decision to people around you. Mental capacity can vary over time. If you have capacity to consent, then you understand what you are being asked to agree to, and you are able to let people know whether you agree. See also informed consent.

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Capital limits

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

If the value of your capital - any savings you have, as well as assets such as a house you own - is below a certain level (currently £14,250 in England in 2022/23) you will not have to use any of your capital to contribute to the cost of your care. What you contribute will be assessed based on your income. If your capital is between £14,250 and £23,250 you will have to contribute something towards your care, based on a calculation that you have £1 per week extra in your income for every £250 in capital between these limits. If your capital is worth more than £23,250, you will be expected to use this to pay the full cost of your care. This will all be looked at and calculated during a financial assessment.

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Care Act 2014

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A law passed in England in 2014 that sets out what care and support you are entitled to and what local councils have to do. According to the law, councils have to consider your wellbeing, assess your needs and help you get independent financial advice on paying for care and support.

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Care Act easements

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

Temporary changes to the Care Act 2014 during the coronavirus outbreak to help councils cope. If a council cannot meet everyone's needs, it can give priority to people with the most urgent care and support needs. This would affect assessments, care plans and reviews. Councils should only do this if it is essential in their area, and they still have a duty to uphold people's human rights. The Government has published an 'ethical framework' for councils to help them plan their response to coronavirus in their local area.

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Care Programme Approach

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

An approach to care planning for people with serious mental health problems. It helps mental health services to assess your needs and work out how best to support you. You will have regular contact with a care coordinator, who may be a social worker, community psychiatric nurse or occupational therapist. The coordinator will work with you to write a 'care plan', based on your individual needs and circumstances.

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Care Quality Commission

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

An organisation set up by the Government to make sure that all hospitals, care homes, dentists, GPs and home care agencies in England provide care that is safe, caring, effective, responsive and well-led. If you are unhappy with the care or support you receive, you can contact CQC to let them know. Although CQC cannot investigate complaints about an individual person's treatment or care, it inspects services and will use any information it receives from you to help it decide what to look at during an inspection.

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Care consortium

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) Jargon Buster

A group of individuals or organisations that work in partnership to meet a specific need - such as providing care services in a particular area - with each organisation providing the thing they specialise in.

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