Advice about services that other organisations provide

Registration and inspection of care homes

The Commission for Social Care Inspection is responsible for the registration and inspection of care homes for children, adults and older people, and for the registration of domiciliary care (or care at home).

Housing

Housing is the responsibility of the 12 District Councils in Lancashire. They have a duty to review the housing needs of their residents and consider the housing conditions within their areas. Your District Council Housing Office deals with matters like disabled facilities grants to help you stay in your own home. They can offer advice about “Extra Care/Very Sheltered Housing”. They are also responsible for the administration of Housing Benefit, which is assistance for people who may need help with paying their rent and council tax.

Some District Housing Offices act as a landlord and have housing available to rent and this is known as “Council Housing”. Other District Councils do not own any housing but they can still offer you help and advice about finding a suitable place to live.

You will find links to local Council websites on the 'Local Councils' menu of the right of this page.

Home adaptations

People can apply to the local District Council for a Disabled Facilities Grant following an occupational therapist assessment for an adaptation to their home, such as a ground floor extension. The occupational therapist assessment can be organised by Lancashire County Council or the NHS.

Health services

Eight Primary Care Trusts provide and fund a broad range of health services. A Primary Care Trust is a statutory organisation within the NHS, which:

• Seeks to reduce health inequalities;
• Provides community health services (eg District Nurses and Health Visitors);
• Co-ordinates services provided by independent contractors (eg GPs, Community Opticians, Dentists and Pharmacists);
• Arranges for other services to be provided by NHS Trusts (eg hospital care); and
• Plans and co-ordinates services and resources with Strategic Health Authorities and Local Authorities

Benefits

Lancashire County Council does not provide welfare benefits – welfare benefits are provided by the Department for Work and Pensions. The County Council provides a Welfare Rights Service to assist anyone who has welfare benefits issues or who needs advice. Contact Welfare Rights on 01772 533504.