*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Care And Support Plans

Care and support plans are for anyone who needs care or cares for someone else.

A care and support plan says:

the type of support you need
how this support will be given
how much money your council will spend on your care

This means you can:

stay as independent as possible
have as much control over your life as possible
do the things you enjoy
know what type of care is right for you
understand your health condition and care needs better

It also helps your family and friends understand how they can help you.

How to get a care and support plan

First, you'll need to contact social services at your local council.

They'll speak to you about the problems you're having. This is called an assessment.

Afterwards, the support you need is written up as a care and support plan. You should get a copy of this within a few weeks.

There are 2 types of assessment. One is for people who need care and the other is for people who care for someone else.

Read about how to:

get a needs assessment - if you need care yourself
get a carer's assessment - if you need help caring for someone else

What care and support plans include

Care and support plans include:

what's important to you
what you can do yourself
what equipment or care you need
what your friends and family think
who to contact if you have questions about your care
your personal budget and direct payments (this is the weekly amount the council will spend on your care)
what care you can get from your local council
how and when care will happen

If you're a carer, it will also include:

respite care options so you can take a break
details of local support groups
training, such as how to lift safely

Reviewing your care and support plan

Your care and support plan will be reviewed regularly to see what's working and not working, and if it's still the best support for you.

This usually happens within the first few months of support starting and then once every year.

If at any time you're unhappy with your care, call adult social services at your local council and ask for a review.

How to complain about an assessment or care plan

If you're not happy with how your assessment or care plan was done, you have a right to complain.

First complain to your local council. It should have a formal complaints procedure on its website.

If you're not happy with the way the council handles your complaint, contact the local government and social care ombudsman. This is an independent person who looks into complaints about organisations.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.