Care in the community

Both the Mental Health Act (1983) and the Community Care Act (1990) give powers to health and social services professionals to provide support to people with a mental illness who are living in the community.
there are two main systems which can be used to provide care for people involved with mental health services.

Care programme approach (CPA)
 For people with mental health problems who need care and support. It is provided by health and social services working together.

Section 117 aftercare
This should be provided free of charge to people who have been detained under the Mental Health Act for treatment (mainly sections 3, 37, 47 & 48). This is also provided by health and social services working together in the same way.

How are carers involved?

The guidance to social workers assessing a person’s needs under the Community Care Act and the Department of Health Circular on CPA both emphasise the right of carers to be involved and consulted, as long as the person being assessed has no objection.

Carers often have inside knowledge of the service user both before illness and during the course of their illness. They can be a valuable resource.

Care co-ordinators should:

  • Be aware of who the main carers are, what their relationship with the person is and how they can contact them
  • Communicate with the carer as far as possible
  • Consider whether a full carer’s assessment is needed
  • Be aware of the carers needs
  • Be sure the carer can contact the care co-ordinator
  • Include the carers role in the care plan
  • Consider the need of an individual care plan for the carer.

National Advice Service Factsheets

The information in this section is taken from the NAS factsheet, which you can download in pdf format and print for individual use.

Care and aftercare factsheet (154 kb) [pdf]