Complicated social care system simplified through new online jargon busting tools

A leading alliance in social care has created three new tools to make authorities aware of the problems and complications that often face people trying to navigate the UK's social care system.

Think Local Act Personal (TLAP) is an alliance of over 30 national social care partners, which has identified and created the tools to address the key areas that cause confusion to people attempting access support services.

Marjory Broughton and Clenton Farquharson, co-chairs of TLAP, said: "Unfortunately, many people who use care and support services and their carers are overwhelmed and confused by the information available. It can be complicated, full of jargon and may not be reliable. Good information and advice provided at the right time helps people to take control of their lives - it is at the very heart of personalised care."

One tool takes the form of an interactive map, which demonstrates a person's typical journey through the social care system. The map will highlight to local councils the areas which could cause confusion and complications to people attempting to access social care services.

The social care jargon buster includes 52 commonly used social care terms and phrases to ensure their meanings are correctly understood and can be made clear and accessible.

Councils will also be able to access a set of principles to help them improve the quality of information and advice they can provide.

The tools will be available online and are set to be developed over the next year in order to make councils improve the way they inform people of social care options.

It is hoped that the tools will allow councils to improve the information and advice on offer for future service users, which will enable people to make informed decisions about their own personal social care needs.