SOCIAL SERVICES

N.B. This information dates from October 2006, the last time it was updated, so please do bear this in mind.

Community Care

Community Care Services (formally called Home Help) are intended to help you live in your own home and retain as much independence as possible. They can include help with:

• Personal care (e.g. bathing/washing, dressing, eating. This involves someone coming to your home at agreed times. This could be two or three times a day or even 24 hour care where necessary.)
• Domestic tasks (e.g. cooking, laundry, cleaning and shopping)
• Home adaptations (e.g. stair lifts, handrails, bath seats etc)
• Meals delivered to you at home (e.g. daily delivery of a meal or, in some areas, the delivery of a weekly or monthly supply of frozen food. It could also mean providing meals at a day centre or lunch club.)
• Transport services (e.g. to and from a day centre)
• Services for your carer, if you have one (e.g. respite care)

Most services are provided by your local council’s social services department either directly (they deliver the services themselves) or indirectly (they contract out the services, although they are still responsible for the level of service.) Alternatively, if you are eligible for services, you can ask for Direct Payments (see page 9) and arrange the care you need yourself. If you already have a carer (e.g. family member or partner) you may still be entitled to help and they may be able to get help in their own right.

Catie’s story: “My assistant Anna basically does anything that helps me save energy. I now rarely need to rely on public transport, and if I have to shop she comes along and carries things for me. My room and the general environment in which I live are much cleaner and neater, and I have healthy lunches prepared. This means I can take more control of my diet to keep the IBS under control, and leaves me more free time in which to do coursework and other things I enjoy. [She] is flexible and can usually work different hours each week depending on when I need her. My parents, with whom I live, manage her if I'm especially ill.”

Further information:
Social Services Departments publish local Community Care Charters drawn up in conjunction with housing departments and the NHS. These enable you to see the standard of service you can expect.
Disabled Living Centres offer the chance to see and try out a range of products and house adaptations to find those which suit their needs. They also offer free, independent advice about what is available and where to get it. The nearest centre is in Maida Hill on the Harrow Rd, London W9 2HU Tel: 0207 289 6111
The Disabled Living Foundation is similar, with a demonstration flat in Westminster tel 0845 130 9177 email: centre@dlf.org.uk website www.dlf.org.uk

Assessment

The first step is to contact your local social services department (see contact details on pages 13-15) and request an assessment of your needs. You need to explain:

• what you think your needs are
• what problems you are facing
• what help you have now
• what help you think you may need

It is probably best to do this in writing. If there “appears to be a need” your local authority must carry out an assessment. If you also have health and/or housing needs the social services dept. should invite the other relevant parties to take part in the assessment (e.g. by being present/ writing a report.)

If your carer also has needs they may be able to ask for an assessment in their own right.

If you are a hospital inpatient you should not be discharged until this assessment has been made, but it may be necessary to ask for it as this doesn’t always happen in practise.

How assessments are carried out can vary quite a bit between councils, however they should consider:

• Your wishes
• Whether you could be helped by aids/adaptations
• Whether services will help you continue living in your own home
• Your health and housing needs
• Your needs relating to family life, leisure and work (paid or unpaid)
• Any help you currently have
• The needs of your carer(s) if you have them
• Whether your situation is likely to change

Eligibility criteria

Councils are now required to use government guidelines known as Fair Access to Care Services (FACS) which intend to ensure that everyone is treated the same regardless of where they live.

Eligibility for services depends on the level of “risk to your independence” in the areas of:

- Health and safety,

- Personal and domestic routines,

- Autonomy (freedom to make choices) and

- Involvement in family, work and wider community life.

In each of these areas needs are assessed as Critical, Substantial, Moderate or Low

Each of the four categories are separately assessed; if any need is assessed as critical or substantial the council is obliged to provide you with a service for that need. If any need is assessed as moderate or low the provision of a service for that need is discretionary, although the council should be able to provide you with advice and information on other possible sources of help if they do not award services. A few councils respond to “moderate” needs but you are very unlikely to receive a service if your need is assessed as low. Note: sections below beginning “needs which may indicate…” are for general guidance - not all councils adhere to this wording.

CRITICAL NEEDS

The most serious situations, where, without intervention, the result will be loss of life or serious harm, including:

• an inability to protect yourself, maintain your own personal or others' safety, or carry out self-care tasks resulting in a threat to life
• the risk of becoming seriously mentally ill
• the risk of requiring immediate admission to hospital or residential care if services are not provided
• a severe restriction of opportunity within the family, work and the wider community which threatens life.

Without support the following has occurred / will occur resulting in a threat to life or serious harm to you or others:

• Health and safety: Life is or will be threatened; significant health problems; abuse or neglect
• Personal and domestic routines: inability to carry out vital personal care or domestic routines
• Autonomy: little or no choice and control over vital aspects of the immediate environment.
• Involvement in family, work and wider community life: inability to sustain vital family / other social roles and responsibilities, involvement in work, learning or education or social support systems / key relationships

Needs that may indicate this level of risk:

• Your situation, actions, or how you look after yourself, is causing extreme concern about your immediate safety;
• You need immediate support to avoid critical risk to your safety or life or that of others;
• You need help immediately because you have suffered or are believed to have suffered serious abuse or neglect, or you are at immediate risk of physical or sexual abuse;
• Your health and safety is at risk because you are dependent on assistance which is not otherwise available to you to perform one or more vital daily functions, i.e. toiletting, eating and drinking, accessing food and drink, and moving between a bed and a chair;
• Significant health problems have developed or are likely to develop and assistance will help to avoid risk to your safety or that of others, or hospitalisation;
• You are unable to access vital educational, work or learning activities, and your physical or mental health is at risk as a result;
• You need intensive support for a short period to avoid admission to hospital or a residential home;
• You need support to ensure that you achieve a minimum standard of one significant social contact a week;
• Your physical and / or mental health is at risk because you have no social support systems or relationships or no social interaction, or the ones you have are in imminent danger of breaking down;
• You are unable to sustain essential religious observance without assistance, and this is not otherwise available to you;
• At least one of the above risks or needs applies to you and your care /support arrangements have broken down or are about to break down.

SUBSTANTIAL NEEDS

Situations where, without intervention, the result will be serious harm or injury to you or others, for example:

• an inability to protect yourself, maintain your own personal or others' safety, to carry out self-care tasks resulting in significant risks to life or wellbeing
• the risk of becoming mentally ill
• the risk of requiring hospital or residential care
• a significant restriction of opportunity within the family, work and the wider community.

Without support the following has/will occur resulting in significant risks to life or your or others’ physical or emotional wellbeing:

• Health and safety: abuse or neglect.
• Personal and domestic routines: inability to carry out the majority of personal care or domestic routines.
• Autonomy and freedom to make choices: limited choice and control over the immediate environment
• Involvement in family, work and wider community life: inability to sustain majority of family / other social roles and responsibilities, involvement in many aspects of work, learning or education or of social care support systems / key relationships

Needs that may indicate this level of risk:

• Your situation, actions, or how you look after yourself, is causing serious concern that your safety will not be maintained without assistance, supervision or equipment;
• You are vulnerable to abuse, neglect or exploitation and this is likely to happen without help;
• You cannot perform or are increasingly struggling to maintain one or more essential daily activities such as changing clothes, maintaining personal and oral hygiene, obtaining and preparing food without assistance, and this is not otherwise available to you;
• You have an illness which is at risk of deteriorating to the extent that your safety or the safety of others will be at risk in the longer term if support is not provided;
• Your mobility in the home is severely restricted and you cannot access essential facilities;
• The provision of assistive equipment, or support for a short period following a crisis, accident or hospital admission, will promote your independence by enabling you to continue or resume the performance of daily routines and essential tasks such as maintaining personal hygiene, getting about safely, shopping or cooking for yourself;
• You are currently undergoing a major life transition, e.g. moving from institutional care to the community, or from your parental home to a more independent setting, and this is unlikely to be successfully achieved without assistance;
• You need support to develop or maintain life skills without which you will be unable to look after yourself or sustain any social support networks and relationships in the future;
• You have severe communication difficulties or cannot communicate without assistance
• You need support because you have few social supports or networks and the majority of these are very stressed or are breaking down;
• You are unable to sustain without assistance involvements in work, education or learning activities which are significant to promoting your independence, and this assistance is not otherwise available to you;
• You cannot perform the majority of family and other social roles without assistance, and this is not otherwise available to you;
• You are at risk of accidental harm or not having your essential needs met sufficiently because you carer is not able to carry out all necessary tasks, for example due to age or deteriorating illness;
• At least one of the above risks or needs apply to you and your care /support arrangements have broken down or are about to break down, or your carer has been assessed as unable to continue caring if support is not provided.

MODERATE NEEDS

You require “occasional support” and there is a “moderate risk” in your daily life, for example a restriction of opportunity within several aspects of the family, work and the wider community.
Without support the following has occurred / will occur resulting in some impact to your or others’ physical or emotional wellbeing

• Personal and domestic routines: inability to carry out several personal care or domestic routine
• Involvement in family, work and wider community life: inability to sustain several family and other social roles and responsibilities, involvement in several aspects of work, learning or education or several social care support systems / relationships

Needs that may indicate this level of risk:

• You are unable to do some personal and/or domestic daily living activities without support but can be independent at home safely
• You are finding it difficult to access or maintain your principal daytime activity e.g. working or learning without some assistance
• You are somewhat isolated and need help to access or maintain social support systems or relationships;
• It is difficult for you to maintain family and social roles such as observing religion and maintaining family contacts.
• Without support your carer may not be able to continue to provide care

LOW NEEDS

You require “limited support” and there is “minimal risk” in your daily life. Your needs have little impact on your ability to live independently at home and on your or others’ physical and emotional wellbeing. For example:

• Personal and domestic routines: inability to carry out one or two personal care or domestic routines

• Involvement in family, work and wider community life: inability to sustain one or two family and other social roles and responsibilities, aspects of work, learning or education or social care support systems / relationships

After the assessment

The assessment should identify and record your needs, whether the local authority agrees to meet them or not. If the local authority agrees to provide services it should produce a written care plan detailing the services to be provided, who will provide them and a contact for problems.

Catie’s story: “First, a support co-ordinator from my local Direct Payments Support Agency (DPSA) talked me through the scheme, then a few days later, a social worker assessed me. I prepared for these appointments by making a list of my symptoms, an outline of what a typical day for me would involve, and some notes about my mobility problems. [snip]

Both professionals were extremely sympathetic and my application was successful. A care plan was drawn up which stated [snip] that I was entitled to [snip] someone for twenty hours per week to help me with transport, errands and domestic care. I then underwent a financial assessment, the outcome being that I didn¹t have to contribute to the costs of employing an assistant."

Charging

If you are awarded services the local authority will carry out a separate financial assessment taking into account both your income/savings and your expenses (e.g. housing costs and disability-related expenditure) to determine what you are expected to pay for them. At this point they should also check that you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to and provide help to claim them (including help to appeal) if necessary. The assessment of your care needs must not be influenced by the issue of charges or whether you can afford to pay. You will normally be visited at home by a social worker or finance worker for the assessment.

Local authorities are not permitted to charge for assessments or for aids/adaptations up to £1000, but they can charge for most other services. The charges can vary widely from council to council; also some only charge for certain services while others charge for all services for which they are allowed to charge. However the government sets minimum standards to ensure that the income a person is left with after charges does not fall below specified levels.

Minimum income per week that must be left (after deduction of disability-related costs): (figures correct at Dec 2005)

Disabled person 18-24: £88.50
Disabled person 25-60: £100.19
Disabled person 60 or over: £136.81
Carer 18-24: £90.70
Carer 25-60: £102.50
Carer 60 or over: £169.06
Couple under 60 (one with disability): £152.94
Couple 60 or over (one with disability): £208.81

An extra amount (£11.70 single person, £16.90 couple) may be allowed if receiving the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance.

If your income is less than these levels you can not be charged for services at all. If your finances change then you can ask for a re-assessment. The local authority will also probably carry out regular checks of your finances (e.g. once a year) to check for changes.

Income which must be ignored:

• The value of your home, if you are a home-owner
• Any savings up to £12,500 (over this level an income of £1/week is assumed for every £250 or part of £250. Over £20,500 savings the maximum charge may be made)
• The mobility component of any Disability Living Allowance award
• Earnings, if you are working
• Payments from the Independent Living Fund
• Working tax credit and child tax credit
• Your partner, carer or family member’s income

Costs which must be deducted:

• Your rent (less any housing benefit you receive) or your mortgage interest payments
• Your council tax (less any council tax benefit you receive)
• Extra costs you incur because of your disability (but only if income from disability benefits is being counted as income.)

These include the following (there may be others):

• • Privately arranged care (e.g. carers, personal assistants etc)
  • Domestic help you have to pay for because you can’t do the things yourself (e.g. cleaning, laundry, shopping, gardening)
  • Extra fuel costs (e.g. you are at home a lot and immobile). You may have to show your fuel bill.
  • Special diets
  • Breakages (e.g. dropping crockery as a result of shaking)
  • Medical items/treatment (e.g. prescription charges, vitamins, pain killers and treatments such as osteopathy, physiotherapy and acupuncture “if not available from the NHS”)
  • Disability related equipment (e.g. stair lifts, wheelchairs etc)
  • Telephones (where needed in case of emergency or because of isolation)
  • Extra transport costs (e.g. needing taxis to go shopping, keep in social contact etc)

Direct Payments

If you prefer to arrange your own care you can request the local authority pay you directly, rather than carry out the services themselves. They have a duty to provide direct payments on request unless they feel you are unable to arrange and manage the services yourself. If they offer them, but you prefer to have the service provided by the local authority, you do not have to accept.

You may well need support if you wish to take up direct payments as you will need to write a job description and take on the responsibilities of an employer e.g. on tax and national insurance. However this is not as difficult as it sounds and the National Centre for Independent Living can provide information about local support organisations to help with this.

You can use a home care agency or employ someone directly. Agencies are required to abide by certain minimum standards relating to training of personnel, confidentiality of information, safety etc. If you employ someone directly they will not be covered by these standards but you may have more flexibility to choose someone you really feel comfortable with.

Catie’s story: “Using some of my Direct Payment money, I advertised for a personal assistant in various ways, mostly targeting college students in social work who might be eager to gain experience. The DPSA (Direct Payments Support Agency) gave advice and support with advertising and the interviewing process but even so, it took a couple of months to find a candidate who fitted the bill. We then began with a trial period so I could get to know her and build up a good level of trust.

The idea of becoming an employer seemed daunting at first, but I was offered a great deal of help with payroll work, and once things settled into a routine, life became so much easier. [snip] Becoming an employer with Direct Payments has given me more independence and freedom. I was always told that Direct Payments are about quality of life as much as actually needing the help; that they are there to make our lives more enjoyable, and closer to ‘normal’ ­ as well as catering to basic needs.[snip] You can find an assistant who truly suits you and who can cater to your own personal needs.”

Further information:
National Centre for Independent Living­ tel. 0207 5871663 website www.ncil.org.uk
Independent Living Alternatives: help with support and advice on employing personal assistants ­tel. 0208 906 9265 website www.ila.mcmail.com
The 25% M.E. Support Group has an information sheet on Direct Payments (£2) 21 Church Street, Troon, Ayrshire. KA10 6HT email enquiry@25megroup.org website www.25megroup.org

Problems

For example:

• Local authority refuses to carry out an assessment
• Assessment does not identify all your needs
• Assessment underestimates your needs
• Local authority refuses to meet your needs
• Local authority wants you to go into residential care
• The charges are too much
• Local authority refuses direct payments

In any of these cases it is a good idea to ask for copies of the local care delivery plan and any information the local authority holds about you (e.g. doctor’s reports). You can then do one of the following (in rough order of routes to try):

• Review: ask the local authority to carry out a review of its decision
• Complaint: the local authority will have a complaints officer – ask for details or check their website and find out what they can deal with (e.g. they might not be able to change the assessment of your needs but only deal with the way the assessment was carried out).
• Local authority monitoring officer – usually the Chief Executive or the legal head of the council: they can investigate maladministration or unlawfulness only.
• Your local councillor: he/she has no power to change decisions but can help put pressure on in e.g. cases of delay.
• Local Government Ombudsman: you must have gone through the local authority’s complaints procedure first. The ombudsman can’t comment on the decision itself but can intervene in cases of maladministration.
• Legal action: this is a difficult course to follow and often unsuccessful so be sure if you want to take this step.
  

Transport Services

These may also be obtained through your local authority but they are dealt with separately from community care.

Freedom Pass
This provides free travel on all London Transport bus, tram and underground services including the Docklands Light Railway and some over-ground rail services within the London region. There are no time restrictions on use.

If you are over 60, or if you receive the mobility component of disability living allowance at the highest rate, and you are permanently resident in London then you are automatically entitled to a pass.

Other applications may be considered subject to a medical report completed by your Doctor. You may get a pass if you have:

• a walking impairment causing a substantial and long-term adverse effect on mobility.
• or a disability likely to cause the driving of vehicles to be a source of danger to the public.

If you are unsuccessful there is the right to appeal.

Passes are renewed every two years.

Taxicard
This scheme is for people with a mobility impairment which makes it difficult for them to use mainstream public transport. It allows travel in contractors’ licensed radio taxis or black cabs at subsidised rates.

If you receive the mobility component of disability living allowance at the highest rate you are automatically entitled.

If you are not automatically eligible you may still apply. You need to get a section of the application form signed and stamped by your GP and/or may have to provide further information or be required to have a mobility assessment. The Doctors report needs to show that you suffer from a long- term disability which makes it difficult for you to use buses or other public transport services. If you are unsuccessful there is the right to appeal.

Number of trips permitted:
Barnet: 104 per annum
Brent: 8 per month
Camden: 48/72/96/120 per annum
Enfield: 8 per month (rollover)
Hackney: 104 per annum pro rata
Haringey: 120 per annum
Islington: 52 with Freedom Pass / 104 without per annum pro rata
Tower Hamlets: 4/8/12/16 per month pro rata
Waltham Forest: 108 per annum pro rata
NB Newham operates slightly differently – contact them for details.
Run in charge: There is a maximum permitted “run in” charge (i.e. amount showing on the meter when the cab arrives) of £3.40 in all the boroughs listed, except Waltham Forest where it is £2.40
Subsidised amount: £10.30/£11.30/£12.80 in all the boroughs listed (according to time of day / day of week)
Minimum charge: £1.50 per trip in all the boroughs listed

More information:
ALG TEC Taxicard www.taxicard.org.uk Tel: 020 7484 2929 Email: taxicard@alg.gov.uk

Blue Badge
This is a parking permit which provides parking concessions across the country, in EU countries and some other countries in Europe. The scheme allows badge holders to park close to their destination e.g. shops etc. It covers all of Greater London except the central area, i.e. City of London, the City of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea and parts of Camden. These boroughs have their own schemes (e.g. Green Badge scheme in Camden).

Holders may park without charge or time limit on:

• designated disabled parking / areas reserved for blue badge holders
• residents’ parking bays (but only in some boroughs – check first)
• parking meters and pay-and-display bays (except inner London)
• on single or double yellow lines for up to 3hrs

There are rules about where you may not park e.g. where/when there is a loading ban (yellow marks on kerb), on double/single red lines, in a bus lane whilst in operation, cycle lane or where it would be dangerous or obstructive
Being a blue badge holder entitles you to a waver of the congestion charge (you need to apply to Transport of London and pay a one-off fee of £10).
It also entitles you to use disabled persons' parking bays in off-street car parks (e.g. of supermarkets, public buildings) and may entitle you to park for free where otherwise there is a charge.

If you receive the mobility component of disability living allowance at the highest rate you are automatically entitled. Otherwise you need to show you have a “permanent [read long-term] and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.” Your application will need to be supported in writing by your GP. There is no right of appeal if you are turned down. Blue Badges are valid for three years.

More information:
Transport for London (exemption of congestion charge): 0845 900 1234 www.cclondon.com
Mobilise – an organisation for disabled drivers: 01508 489449 email: hq@mobilise.info
Maps showing where you can park: http://bluebadge.direct.gov.uk or www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport
Blue badge atlas – maps etc - from booksellers.

See also section 4 of the members pack for more information on transport

Additional Sources Of Help

For more information on any of these contact your local social services dept.

Disabled Facilities Grants
If you need adaptations or improvements to your home because of a disability you may qualify for a disabled facilities grant. These grants are means-tested.

Housing Grants
The Housing department of your local council also has the power to award grants to make repairs to your house. These grants are means-tested and intended to cover getting the house in a fit state to live in e.g. replacing an outside with an inside toilet, structural repairs, heating etc.

Energy Efficiency Grants
To people in receipt of DLA, housing benefit, council tax benefit and some other benefits (though not invalidity benefit) for draft-proofing, insulation and heating repairs or installation.
EAGA Partnership, Tel 0800 0720150, www.eaga.co.uk

Supporting People services
This is a government programme which offers housing-related support to “vulnerable people” (e.g. with health problems or disabilities) to enable them to live independently. It does not provide personal care but can offer help with:

• finding somewhere to live and setting up home
• budgeting
• claiming benefits
• accessing health services
• training and support to get back to work

You cannot be charged for these services if you receive them for less than two years or receive housing benefit.

Independent Living Fund
You may qualify for cash help from this fund if you are:

• aged 16-65
• getting services or direct payments from your local authority worth at least £200/week
• on a low income
• have less than £18,000 savings
• and receive the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance

If you satisfy all of these conditions contact your local social services dept (the ILF works in conjunction with the local authority) or call the Independent Living Fund on 0845 601 8815; email funds@ilf.org.uk; website www.ilf.org.uk

Voting
If you have difficulty in getting to a polling station or in voting you can apply for a postal vote. Your local authority can provide you with the necessary application form.

Befriending Schemes
Sometimes local authorities run befriending schemes for people who would otherwise be somewhat isolated. If the local authority does not arrange these themselves they may be able to put you in touch with an organisation which does.

Registering as a Disabled Person
This is not necessary to obtain local authority services but may help in getting travel concessions

References:

“Help at Home – a guide to community care services in England” Dec 2005 Disability Alliance

“A practical guide for Disabled People or Carers” 2003 Department of Health

“InterAction” issue 55, February 2006 “Direct Payments – Catie’s story” Action for ME www.afme.org.uk article by Catie Jenkins from Hull. Write to her at Box No. 4302.

“Eligibility framework for community care services” 2004 Camden Council

Citizen’s Advice Bureau website: www.adviceguide.org.uk/

Tower Hamlet Council’s website:www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

Haringey Council’s website:www.haringey.gov.uk

Other council’s websites (listed under “local authorities contact details”)

Info directly from Camden, Barnet and Hackney

Taxicard website: www.taxicard.org.uk

Acknowledgements:

Camden, Barnet & Hackney councils (the only ones to respond to requests for info.)

Special thanks to Sarah Noor at Camden council for sending lots of exceptionally helpful stuff

Local Authority Contact Details

With some I have only managed to get a main number (“switchboard”) - call and be directed to the service you need. Other numbers given should put you through to the “adult physical disabilities team” or whatever the local term is. If you are over 65, mention this when you call as sometimes you will be dealt with by a different team.

Barnet
www.barnet.gov.uk

Physical Disabilities Team,
Barnet House,
8th Floor,
1255 High Rd.
Whetstone. N20 OEJ

Tel: 020 8359 4652

first.contact@barnet
The Town Hall,
The Burroughs,
Hendon,
London. NW4 4BG

Switchboard: (020) 8359 2277
Email:first.contact@barnet.gov.uk
Hours: Mon - Thurs, 9am - 5.15pm; Fri, 9am - 5pm
Out of hours emergencies: 020 8359 2000
Taxicard:020 7484 2929;
Freedom pass: 020 8359 4131

Brent
www.brent.gov.uk

Physical Disabilities Team,
36 London Rd,
Wembley,
London. HA9 7SS

Tel: 020 8937 4621
Switchboard: (020) 8937 1200
Email: customer.services@brent.gov.uk

Taxicard: 020 8937 4004/4041/4001

Freedom pass: 020 8937 4001 /4002

Camden
www.camden.gov.uk

Adult Social Care Customer Service and Complaints
Room 201, 2nd Floor,
79 Camden Road,
London. NW1 9ES
Tel: 020 7974 6673

Accessible Transport Service: 020 7974 2415; 020 7974 2436
Blue and Green Badge schemes: 020 7974 4646

Enfield
www.enfield.gov.uk

Community, Housing and Adult Social Services,
Swan Annex,
219-221 High Street,
Enfield EN3 4DX

Tel: 020 8379 8010 / 020 8379 8006
Email: disabilities@enfield.gov.uk
Switchboard: 020 8379 1000
Taxicard: 020 8379 1000
Freedom pass: 020 8379 6631

Hackney
www.hackney.gov.uk

Access Service
205 Morning Lane
London. E9 6JX

Tel: 020 8356 6262
Email: access@hackney.gov.uk
Emergency Telephone: outside office hours 020 8356 2300
Taxicard: 020 8356 4298; Freedom pass: 020 8356 6825

Haringey
www.haringey.gov.uk

Physical disabilities and sensory impairment team,
40 Cumberland Road,
Wood Green,
London. N22 7SG

Tel: 020 8489 3093
Email: PhysdisDuty@haringey.gov.uk
Concessionary Travel Department: 020 8489 1878 or 020 8489 1865

Islington
www.islington.gov.uk

Contact Islington
222 Upper Street
London N1 1XR

Switchboard: 020 7527 2000
Email: contact@islington.gov.uk
Opening Hours: 8am (8.30 weds) – 6pm Mon-Fri
Taxicard: 020 7527 8177; Freedom pass: 020 7527 8914

Newham
www.newham.gov.uk

Switchboard: 020 8430 2000
Email: customer.services@newham.gov.uk
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm; Saturday 9am to 1pm
Emergency Telephone: 020 8472 9624
Taxicard: 020 8430 5572

Tower Hamlets
www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

Physical Disabilities Team,
40-50 Southern Grove,
Mile End,
London. E3 4PX

Tel: 020 7364 5853
General enquiries: 020 7364 5020 - information relating to all council services, including locations & opening times.
Switchboard: 020 7364 5000 - if you know who you want to speak to
Taxicard: 020 7364 5973
Freedom pass: 020 7364 6587

Waltham Forest
www.walthamforest.gov.uk

Chingford or Walthamstow:
First Response Team - North
47 Gainsford Road,
Walthamstow E17 6QB
Tel 020 8496 3000 (via Waltham Forest Direct)

Leyton or Leytonstone:
First Response Team - South
Leytonstone Access Office,
90 Crownfield Road,
Leytonstone E15 2AJ
Tel 020 8496 3000 (via Waltham Forest Direct)

To enquire about the services the Mobility Team provides:
London Borough of Waltham Forest
16 The Ridgeway,
Chingford E4 6PS
Tel: 020 8496 3000

Opening hours for all offices: Mon to Thurs: 9am–5.15pm; Fri: 9am–5pm
Emergencies: Social Services Emergency Duty Team 020 8496 3000.