Care Programme Approach (CPA)
Introduction
The term Care Programme Approach (CPA) has been used since 1990 to describe the framework that supports and co-ordinates effective mental health care for people with severe mental health problems in secondary mental health services.
Where a service user has straightforward needs and has contact with only one agency then an appropriate professional in that agency will be the person responsible for facilitating their care. Formal designated paperwork for care planning and the review process for these service users, is not required. However, a statement of care agreed with the service user should be recorded. This could be done in any clinical or practice notes, or in a letter, and this documentation will constitute the care plan.
From October 2008, the term Care Programme Approach describes the approach used in secondary mental health care to assess, plan, review and co-ordinate the range of treatment, care and support needs for people in contact with secondary mental health services who have complex characteristics (as outlined below). It is called an “approach”, rather than just a system, because the way that these elements are carried out is as important as the actual tasks themselves. Active service user involvement and engagement will continue to be at the heart of the approach, as will a focus on reducing distress and promoting social inclusion and recovery.
Who will need CPA?
In the main, the individuals needing the support of CPA should not be significantly different from those who needed the support of enhanced CPA in the past. The current characteristics of those needing enhanced CPA are described as individuals who need: multi-agency support, active engagement, intensive intervention, support with dual diagnoses and who are at higher risk.
CPA and eligibility for services
The list in the table below is used to decide if, having been accepted as needing secondary mental health services, further support is needed with engagement, co-ordination and risk management (i.e. needing CPA).
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Social Services (Social Care and Health) Care Plan
Services are provided for customers who may have physical, sensory or learning disability or are an older person.
They can provide the following services:
- Specialist advice and information
- Help to manage personal care in the customer’s own home
- Help with meals
- Equipment and adaptations to help the customer live at home
- Disabled parking scheme (blue badge)
- Support for the visually impaired or the deaf of hard of hearing
- Information about other services and organisations who can help
Social Services (Social Care and Health) can arrange services to help the customers with daily living tasks so that they are as independent as possible.
A specially trained assessor gathers the information and this assessment forms the basis of planning how the customers needs can be met and a Care Plan is developed.
The Care plan describes:
- Who is responsible for providing services
- What they have agreed to do
- When they will do it
- Who is responsible for making sure things go according to plan
- The names of key people and how to contact them
Services may not always be provided by Social Services (Social Care and Health), they may arrange for private or voluntary agencies to do so on their behalf.
A copy of the Care Plan is given to the customer and a copy should be obtained as it is important that the Medical Services are aware of the details of the arrangements in place for the individual.
Amended September 2011
