Skip to content

Working Together To Safeguard Children 2026 Update.

The Mental Health Act 2025 Reforms.

Durham County Council Procedures, Practice Guidance and Tools for Adult Social Care

Contents

Quick Links:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

1.The Care Act 2014 Resource

1.0.1The Care Act 2014 Resource

2.The Mental Capacity Act 2005 Resource and Practice Toolkit

2.0.1Mental Capacity in DurhamMay 29, 2025
2.0.2The Mental Capacity Act 2005 Resource and Practice Toolkit

3.Safeguarding Adults

3.0.1Safeguarding AdultsNovember 18, 2025

4.Deprivation of Liberty

4.0.1Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards ProcedureNovember 18, 2025
4.0.2Recognising and Responding to Deprivations of LibertyMay 29, 2025

5.Universal Procedures (used by all teams)

5.0.1Equality, Diversity and Human RightsNovember 18, 2025
5.0.2Recording and Keeping RecordsNovember 18, 2025
5.0.3Providing Information about a Person or CarerNovember 18, 2025
5.0.4Financial AssessmentNovember 18, 2025
5.0.5Commissioning and Brokerage ProceduresNovember 22, 2023
5.0.6Direct PaymentsNovember 18, 2025
5.0.7Assistive Technology and TelecareNovember 18, 2025
5.0.8Risk AssessmentNovember 18, 2025
5.0.9Lone WorkingMay 31, 2023
5.0.10Joint WorkNovember 3, 2021
5.0.11Co-productionNovember 18, 2025
5.0.12Social Media (use of)November 18, 2025
5.0.13Storage of Data on Practitioners' Mobile DevicesNovember 18, 2025
5.0.14Interpreter and Translation ServicesNovember 18, 2025
5.0.15Death of a Person or CarerMay 29, 2025

6.Specialist Procedures

6.0.1Deputyship and Financial AffairsMay 29, 2025
6.0.2Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Spaces) ProcedureMay 29, 2025
6.0.3Housing and HomelessnessMay 29, 2025
6.0.4Joint Packages of Health and Social CareNovember 22, 2024
6.0.5NHS Continuing Healthcare ProcedureNovember 18, 2025
6.0.6NHS-funded Nursing Care Procedure (FNC)May 30, 2024
6.0.7End of Life Procedures and Practice GuidanceMay 29, 2025
6.0.8Legal ServicesMay 31, 2023
6.0.9Ordinary Residence ProcedureNovember 22, 2023
6.0.10Continuity of Care ArrangementsMay 30, 2024
6.0.11Cross Border PlacementsMay 30, 2024
6.0.12Protecting Moveable PropertyNovember 18, 2025
6.0.13Service Interruptions and Provider FailureMay 30, 2024
6.0.14No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)November 18, 2025
6.0.15Prisons and Approved PremisesNovember 18, 2025

7.Front Door into Services

7.0.1Using these Procedures (Front Door into Services)November 22, 2023
7.0.2Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 29, 2025
7.0.3Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or Referral (Front Door into Services)November 18, 2025
7.0.4Actions and Next StepsMay 29, 2025
7.0.5Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 30, 2024

8.Locality Teams

8.1Contact and Referral

8.1.1Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 29, 2025
8.1.2Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or ReferralNovember 18, 2025
8.1.3Actions and Next StepsMay 29, 2025

8.2Establishing Needs

8.2.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
8.2.2Preparing to Establish NeedsMay 29, 2025
8.2.3The Skilled ConversationNovember 18, 2025
8.2.4Agreeing Needs and Making a Formal RecordMay 31, 2023
8.2.5Understanding and Applying Eligibility CriteriaNovember 18, 2025
8.2.6Communicating the Outcome and Next StepsNovember 18, 2025

8.3Meeting Needs

8.3.1Establishing Ordinary ResidenceMay 29, 2025
8.3.2Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 30, 2024
8.3.3Setting an Indicative BudgetNovember 22, 2024
8.3.4Care and Support PlanningNovember 18, 2025
8.3.5Signing Off a Care and Support Plan and Agreeing a Final Personal BudgetNovember 22, 2024
8.3.6Arranging Support and ServicesNovember 18, 2025

8.4Reviewing Support and Services

8.4.1Legal Requirements of a Care and Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
8.4.2Preparing to Carry out a Care and Support Plan ReviewMay 29, 2025
8.4.3The Full Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
8.4.4The Light Touch Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
8.4.5Deciding the Outcome of a Care and Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordMay 30, 2024
8.4.6Actions Following a Care and Support Plan ReviewNovember 18, 2025
8.4.7Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 30, 2024
8.4.8Reviewing a Direct Payment

9.Hospital Social Work Teams

9.1Contact and Referral

9.1.1Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 29, 2025
9.1.2Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or Referral (Hospital Social Work Teams)November 18, 2025
9.1.3Actions and Next StepsMay 29, 2025

9.2Discharge to Assess

9.2.1Discharge to Assess (Home First)November 22, 2024
9.2.2Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 30, 2024

9.3Establishing Needs

9.3.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
9.3.2Preparing to Establish NeedsMay 29, 2025
9.3.3The Skilled ConversationNovember 18, 2025
9.3.4Agreeing Needs and Making a Formal RecordMay 31, 2023
9.3.5Understanding and Applying Eligibility CriteriaNovember 18, 2025
9.3.6Communicating the Outcome and Next StepsNovember 18, 2025

9.4Meeting Needs

9.4.1Establishing Ordinary ResidenceMay 29, 2025
9.4.2Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 30, 2024
9.4.3Setting an Indicative BudgetNovember 22, 2024
9.4.4Care and Support PlanningNovember 18, 2025
9.4.5Signing Off a Care and Support Plan and Agreeing a Final Personal BudgetNovember 22, 2024
9.4.6Arranging Support and ServicesNovember 18, 2025

9.5Reviewing Support and Services

9.5.1Legal Requirements of a Care and Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
9.5.2Preparing to Carry out a Care and Support Plan ReviewMay 29, 2025
9.5.3The Full Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
9.5.4The Light Touch Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
9.5.5Deciding the Outcome of a Care and Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordMay 30, 2024
9.5.6Actions Following a Care and Support Plan ReviewNovember 18, 2025
9.5.7Reviewing a Direct Payment

10.Occupational Therapy Teams

10.1Contact and Referral

10.1.1Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 29, 2025
10.1.2Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or Referral (Occupational Therapy)November 18, 2025
10.1.3Actions and Next StepsMay 29, 2025

10.2Establishing Needs

10.2.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and Tools (Occupational Therapy)November 22, 2024
10.2.2Preparing to Establish Needs (Occupational Therapy)May 29, 2025
10.2.3The Skilled Conversation (Occupational Therapy)November 18, 2025
10.2.4Agreeing Needs, Making a Formal Record and Next Steps (Occupational Therapy)November 22, 2024
10.2.5Establishing Likely Eligibility for a Disabled Facilities GrantMay 31, 2023
10.2.6Understanding and Applying Eligibility Criteria (Occupational Therapy)November 18, 2025
10.2.7Communicating the Outcome and Next Steps (Occupational Therapy)November 18, 2025

10.3Meeting Needs

10.3.1Establishing Ordinary Residence (Occupational Therapy)September 28, 2021
10.3.2Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 30, 2024
10.3.3Applying for a Disabled Facilities GrantMay 30, 2024
10.3.4The Outcome of the Disabled Facilities Grant Application and Next StepsNovember 3, 2021
10.3.5Providing EquipmentMay 30, 2024
10.3.6Equipment in a Care HomeMay 30, 2024
10.3.7Providing Direct SupportMay 30, 2024

10.4Monitoring and Review

10.4.1Monitoring and ReviewNovember 18, 2025

11.Sensory Support Team

11.1Contact and Referral

11.1.1Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 29, 2025
11.1.2Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or ReferralNovember 18, 2025
11.1.3Actions and Next StepsMay 29, 2025

11.2Establishing Needs

11.2.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
11.2.2Preparing to Establish NeedsMay 29, 2025
11.2.3The Skilled ConversationNovember 18, 2025
11.2.4Agreeing Needs and Making a Formal RecordMay 31, 2023
11.2.5Understanding and Applying Eligibility CriteriaNovember 18, 2025
11.2.6Communicating the Outcome and Next StepsNovember 18, 2025
11.2.7Establishing Ordinary ResidenceMay 29, 2025
11.2.8Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 30, 2024

11.3Care and Support Planning

11.3.1Setting an Indicative BudgetNovember 22, 2024
11.3.2Care and Support PlanningNovember 18, 2025
11.3.3Signing Off a Care and Support Plan and Agreeing a Final Personal BudgetNovember 22, 2024
11.3.4Arranging Support and ServicesNovember 18, 2025

11.4Reviewing a Care and Support Plan

11.4.1Legal Requirements of a Care and Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
11.4.2Preparing to Carry out a Care and Support Plan ReviewMay 29, 2025
11.4.3The Full Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
11.4.4The Light Touch Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
11.4.5Deciding the Outcome of a Care and Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordMay 30, 2024
11.4.6Actions Following a Care and Support Plan ReviewNovember 18, 2025
11.4.7Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 30, 2024
11.4.8Reviewing a Direct Payment

11.5Providing Equipment

11.5.1Providing EquipmentMay 30, 2024
11.5.2Providing Direct SupportMay 30, 2024
11.5.3Monitoring and ReviewNovember 18, 2025

12.Learning Disability Locality Teams

12.1Contact and Referral

12.1.1Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 29, 2025
12.1.2Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or ReferralNovember 18, 2025
12.1.3Actions and Next StepsMay 29, 2025

12.2Establishing Needs

12.2.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
12.2.2Preparing to Establish NeedsMay 29, 2025
12.2.3The Skilled ConversationNovember 18, 2025
12.2.4Agreeing Needs and Making a Formal RecordMay 31, 2023
12.2.5Understanding and Applying Eligibility CriteriaNovember 18, 2025
12.2.6Communicating the Outcome and Next StepsNovember 18, 2025

12.3Meeting Needs

12.3.1Establishing Ordinary ResidenceMay 29, 2025
12.3.2Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 30, 2024
12.3.3Setting an Indicative BudgetNovember 22, 2024
12.3.4Care and Support PlanningNovember 18, 2025
12.3.5Signing Off a Care and Support Plan and Agreeing a Final Personal BudgetNovember 22, 2024
12.3.6Arranging Support and ServicesNovember 18, 2025

12.4Reviewing Support and Services

12.4.1Legal Requirements of a Care and Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
12.4.2Preparing to Carry out a Care and Support Plan ReviewMay 29, 2025
12.4.3The Full Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
12.4.4The Light Touch Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
12.4.5Deciding the Outcome of a Care and Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordMay 30, 2024
12.4.6Actions Following a Care and Support Plan ReviewNovember 18, 2025
12.4.7Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 30, 2024
12.4.8Reviewing a Direct Payment

13.Countywide Review Service

13.1Using these Procedures

13.1.1Using these Procedures (Countywide Review Service)November 22, 2023

13.2Contact and Review Requests

13.2.1Receiving a Contact or Review RequestMay 3, 2023
13.2.2Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or Review RequestNovember 18, 2025
13.2.3Actions and Next StepsMay 29, 2025

13.3Reviewing Support and Services

13.3.1Legal Requirements of a Care and Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
13.3.2Preparing to Carry out a Care and Support Plan ReviewMay 29, 2025
13.3.3The Full Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
13.3.4The Light Touch Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
13.3.5Deciding the Outcome of a Care and Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordMay 30, 2024
13.3.6Actions Following a Care and Support Plan ReviewNovember 18, 2025
13.3.7Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 30, 2024
13.3.8Reviewing a Direct Payment

14.Substance Misuse Service

14.1Contact and Referral

14.1.1Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 29, 2025
14.1.2Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or ReferralNovember 18, 2025
14.1.3Actions and Next StepsMay 29, 2025

14.2Establishing Needs

14.2.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
14.2.2Preparing to Establish NeedsMay 29, 2025
14.2.3The Skilled ConversationNovember 18, 2025
14.2.4Agreeing Needs and Making a Formal RecordMay 31, 2023
14.2.5Understanding and Applying Eligibility CriteriaNovember 18, 2025
14.2.6Communicating the Outcome and Next StepsNovember 18, 2025

14.3Meeting Needs

14.3.1Establishing Ordinary ResidenceMay 29, 2025
14.3.2Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 30, 2024
14.3.3Setting an Indicative BudgetNovember 22, 2024
14.3.4Care and Support PlanningNovember 18, 2025
14.3.5Signing Off a Care and Support Plan and Agreeing a Final Personal BudgetNovember 22, 2024
14.3.6Arranging Support and ServicesNovember 18, 2025

14.4Reviewing Support and Services

14.4.1Legal Requirements of a Care and Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
14.4.2Preparing to Carry out a Care and Support Plan ReviewMay 29, 2025
14.4.3The Full Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
14.4.4The Light Touch Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
14.4.5Deciding the Outcome of a Care and Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordMay 30, 2024
14.4.6Actions Following a Care and Support Plan ReviewNovember 18, 2025
14.4.7Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 30, 2024
14.4.8Reviewing a Direct Payment

15.Integrated Community Mental Health Teams

15.1Contact and Referral

15.1.1How to Access Mental Health Social WorkMay 31, 2023
15.1.2Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 29, 2025
15.1.3Contact and Referral Adult Care and Support ProceduresNovember 18, 2025

15.2Establishing Needs

15.2.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
15.2.2Preparing to Establish NeedsMay 29, 2025
15.2.3The Skilled ConversationNovember 18, 2025
15.2.4Agreeing Needs and Making a Formal RecordMay 31, 2023
15.2.5Understanding and Applying Eligibility CriteriaNovember 18, 2025
15.2.6Communicating the Outcome and Next StepsNovember 18, 2025

15.3Meeting Needs

15.3.1Establishing Ordinary ResidenceMay 29, 2025
15.3.2Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 30, 2024
15.3.3Setting an Indicative BudgetNovember 22, 2024
15.3.4Care and Support PlanningNovember 18, 2025
15.3.5Signing Off a Care and Support Plan and Agreeing a Final Personal BudgetNovember 22, 2024
15.3.6Arranging Support and ServicesNovember 18, 2025

15.4Reviewing Support and Services

15.4.1Legal Requirements of a Care and Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
15.4.2Preparing to Carry out a Care and Support Plan ReviewMay 29, 2025
15.4.3The Full Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
15.4.4The Light Touch Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
15.4.5Deciding the Outcome of a Care and Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordMay 30, 2024
15.4.6Actions Following a Care and Support Plan ReviewNovember 18, 2025
15.4.7Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 30, 2024
15.4.8Reviewing a Direct Payment

15.5Functions under the Mental Health Act

15.5.1Understanding the Mental Health Act 1983May 29, 2025
15.5.2Community Mental Health FrameworkNovember 22, 2023
15.5.3Social Circumstances ReportNovember 22, 2024
15.5.4Section 117 AftercareMay 30, 2024
15.5.5Acting as an Appropriate AdultNovember 18, 2025
15.5.6Working Effectively with Parents and Children’s ServicesNovember 18, 2025

16.AMHP Procedure

16.0.1AMHP ProcedureMay 29, 2025

17.14-25 Navigation Service

17.1Children's Procedures

17.1.1Children's Procedures

17.2Deciding Whether to Start Transition

17.2.1Deciding Whether to Start TransitionMay 31, 2023
17.2.2Deciding Whether to Start Carers TransitionNovember 3, 2021
17.2.3Recording the Decision and Next StepsNovember 3, 2021

17.3Child's Needs Assessment

17.3.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and Tools (Child's Needs Assessment)November 22, 2024
17.3.2Preparing to Establish Needs (Child's Needs Assessment)May 30, 2024
17.3.3The Skilled Conversation (Child's Needs Assessment)November 18, 2025
17.3.4Agreeing Needs, Making a Formal Record and Next Steps (Child's Needs Assessment)November 22, 2023

17.4Carer's Transition Assessments

17.4.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and Tools (Carer's Transition)November 22, 2024
17.4.2Preparing to Establish the Needs of Parent CarersMay 30, 2024
17.4.3Preparing to Establish the Needs of Young CarersMay 30, 2024
17.4.4The Skilled Conversation (Parent Carers)September 27, 2021
17.4.5The Skilled Conversation (Young Carers)November 18, 2025
17.4.6Agreeing Needs, Making a Formal Record and Next Steps (Carer's Transition)May 30, 2024

17.5Transition Planning and Review

17.5.1Setting an Indicative Budget (Transition to Adult Care and Support)November 9, 2021
17.5.2The Transition PlanMay 30, 2024
17.5.3Reviewing a Transition PlanMay 30, 2024
17.5.4Reviewing an Education, Health and Care Plan (from 18 years)July 22, 2022

17.6Contacts from Adults

17.6.1Receiving a ContactMay 31, 2023
17.6.2Deciding the Outcome of a ContactNovember 18, 2025
17.6.3Actions and Next StepsMay 29, 2025

17.7Establishing Needs (Adults)

17.7.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
17.7.2Preparing to Establish NeedsMay 29, 2025
17.7.3The Skilled ConversationNovember 18, 2025
17.7.4Agreeing Needs and Making a Formal RecordMay 31, 2023
17.7.5Understanding and Applying Eligibility CriteriaNovember 18, 2025
17.7.6Communicating the Outcome and Next StepsNovember 18, 2025

17.8Meeting Needs (Adults)

17.8.1Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 30, 2024
17.8.2Setting an Indicative BudgetNovember 22, 2024
17.8.3Care and Support PlanningNovember 18, 2025
17.8.4Signing Off a Care and Support Plan and Agreeing a Final Personal BudgetNovember 22, 2024
17.8.5Arranging Support and ServicesNovember 18, 2025

17.9Reviewing Support and Services (Adults)

17.9.1Legal Requirements of a Care and Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
17.9.2Preparing to Carry out a Care and Support Plan ReviewMay 29, 2025
17.9.3The Full Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
17.9.4The Light Touch Review ConversationNovember 18, 2025
17.9.5Deciding the Outcome of a Care and Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordMay 30, 2024
17.9.6Actions Following a Care and Support Plan ReviewNovember 18, 2025
17.9.7Reviewing a Direct Payment

18.Carers Procedures

18.1Contact and Referral

18.1.1Receiving a Contact or ReferralMay 29, 2025
18.1.2Deciding the Outcome of a Contact or Referral (Carers)November 18, 2025
18.1.3Actions and Next Steps (Carers)November 18, 2025

18.2Establishing Needs

18.2.1Introduction, Legal Requirements and Tools (Carers)May 29, 2025
18.2.2Preparing to Establish Needs (Carers)May 30, 2024
18.2.3The Skilled Conversation (Carers)November 18, 2025
18.2.4Agreeing Needs and Making a Formal Record (Carers)May 31, 2023
18.2.5Understanding and Applying Eligibility Criteria (Carers)November 18, 2025
18.2.6Communicating the Outcome and Next Steps (Carers)November 18, 2025

18.3Meeting Needs

18.3.1Establishing Ordinary ResidenceMay 29, 2025
18.3.2Requesting a Financial AssessmentMay 30, 2024
18.3.3Setting an Indicative BudgetNovember 22, 2024
18.3.4Support PlanningNovember 18, 2025
18.3.5Signing off a Support Plan and Agreeing a Final Personal BudgetNovember 22, 2024
18.3.6Arranging Support and ServicesNovember 18, 2025

18.4Reviewing Support and Services

18.4.1Legal Requirements of a Support Plan Review and ToolsNovember 22, 2024
18.4.2Preparing to Carry out a Support Plan ReviewMay 30, 2024
18.4.3The Full Review Conversation (Carers)November 18, 2025
18.4.4The Light Touch Review Conversation (Carers)November 18, 2025
18.4.5Deciding the Outcome of a Support Plan Review and Making a Formal RecordMay 30, 2024
18.4.6Actions Following a Support Plan ReviewNovember 18, 2025
18.4.7Monitoring Urgent or Interim Support and ServicesMay 30, 2024
18.4.8Reviewing a Direct Payment

19.In-House Provider Services

19.0.1In-House Provider ServicesNovember 22, 2023

20.Other Services

20.0.1Other ServicesNovember 22, 2023

Last Updated: November 18, 2025

v276