FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below you'll find answers the most frequently asked Questions, FAQs.

Advice and Information

SENDIASS - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service

Coventry’s SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) offers impartial and confidential Special Educational Needs and Disability information, advice, and support for parents/carers, children (0-15yrs), and young people (16-25yrs).

You can access a wide amount of information and find out about the range of services on offer through their dedicated websites:

Coventry Family Hubs

Coventry Families offers a ‘one stop’ digital hub for parents and families, providing easy access to support whenever needed, and provides a range of information and resources
tailored specifically for you and your family’s needs.

www.coventryfamilies.co.uk

Valley House

Valley House provides supported accommodation for survivors of domestic abuse aged from 16 years old. They offer a range of safe, secure accommodation for single people and families fleeing abuse. Referrals into the service are taken 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Referrals can be made from professionals or by self–referral.

Assistance at home

Home adaptations

There are many pieces of equipment and products that can help you to live as independently as possible by making everyday tasks easier and safer. Coventry City Council carries out minor adaptations that have been recommended by Community/Hospital Occupational Therapy staff, Physiotherapists, and District Nurses. They can help with things such as:

bannister rails
all types of grab rails
mobility, such as hoists, specialist beds, and chairs
For more information and how to apply.

Telecare

The Telecare service is a more advanced type of community alarm, with a wide range of devices to support you in your own home. It aims to provide reassurance 24 hours a day to those living on their own or caring for vulnerable people.

For more information and how to apply visit the Telecare website.

Careline

The Careline alarm is designed to help older, frail, or disabled people remain in their own homes, with the knowledge that they always have somebody to help them in an emergency.

Careline website and contact information

Benefits and Finance

Please look at our Benefits and Finance page.

How to apply for an allowance or funding

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you.

www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance

Carers Allowance

You could get a weekly allowance if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week, and they get certain benefits. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person. If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.

Carer’s Allowance can affect the other benefits that you and the person you care for get. You have to pay tax on it if your income is over the Personal Allowance.

www.gov.uk/carers-allowance

Severely Mentally Impaired (SMI) Council Tax Discount

If you or someone you live with has a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning (however caused) which appears to be permanent you may be eligible to claim a reduction or exemption on your council tax. Please contact your local council for more information and how to apply.

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Funding

NHS Continuing Healthcare (NHS CHC) is a package of care for adults aged 18 or over that is arranged and funded solely by the NHS. In order to receive NHS CHC funding individuals, have to be assessed by integrated commissioning boards (ICBs) according to a legally prescribed decision-making process to determine whether the individual has a ‘primary health need’.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

You can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work. ESA gives you, money to help with living costs if you’re unable to work and support, to get back into work if you’re able to.

You can apply if you’re employed, self-employed, or unemployed.

For more information and how to apply, please visit:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both:

a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition

You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings, or are getting most other benefits.

For more information and how to apply, please visit:

www.gov.uk/pip
Citizens Advice - Information on PIP

Blue Badge Parking Scheme

The aim of the Blue Badge Scheme is to help people with severe mobility problems caused by visible and non-visible (hidden) disabilities to park closer to their destination. Warwickshire County Council has a Blue Badge Team that administers the Blue Badge Scheme on behalf of the Department of Transport.

For more information and how to apply, please visit Coventry City Council Blue Badge Scheme.

Legal information

Power of Attorney

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the ‘donor’) appoint one or more people (known as ‘attorneys’) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.

www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) is a legal framework applying to individuals who lack the mental capacity to consent to the arrangements for their care.

Where such care may amount to a "deprivation of liberty" the arrangements are independently assessed to ensure they are in the best interests of the individual concerned. The data is collected from local authorities in England, who are the supervisory bodies for authorising deprivations of liberty of adults in care homes and hospitals.

For more information please visit the websites listed:

Central England Law Centre - Coventry

If you are based in Coventry you can access legal advice and support through their services in the various areas of law.

All of their services are free. They prioritise people who would not otherwise be able to access legal advice and representation. If they cannot help you, they will always signpost you to other sources of help. They may be able to provide you with some initial advice to help you take the steps you need to solve your problem.

For more information please contact Central England Law Centre:

Phone: 024 7622 3053
Contact Form
Monday to Thursday 09.00 am - 5.00 pm, Friday 09.00 am - 4.30 pm, (They are closed for lunch between 1.00 pm - 2.00 pm each day.)

Care homes

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. They make health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve.

They inspect and rate residential care homes and nursing homes. You can use their inspection reports and ratings to help you understand the quality of care.

CQC website - search for care homes

Transport

If you require assistance getting to medical appointments, dentists, and some social activities and groups, the organisations below can help.

West Midlands Bus On Demand

West Midlands Bus On Demand is a new type of bus service that anyone travelling in the Coventry area can use. It does not follow a specific route. Instead, you book a journey and a bus will pick you up at a time you choose. This service is delivered by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM). The service was previously called Ring and Ride.

You will need to register if you would like to use the service.

Area Covered: Coventry and some areas further out.
For prices, and how to book and register please contact Transport for West Midlands. West Midlands Bus On Demand Website, Phone 0345 034 8670, Download the app on Google Play for Android or the App Store for iOS.

Patient Transport Services (PTS)

For many years, West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS), has provided PTS covering Coventry and Warwickshire. This includes patients registered with GPs in Rugby, South Warwickshire, and Warwickshire North, and who are eligible for transport, through the region and the rest of the UK.

Transport is provided if you have a medical need that stops you from using private or public transport. It is not provided for social or financial reasons.

When you ring to request transport you will be asked a number of questions to determine your eligibility and the mode of transport required. If you think you meet the eligibility criteria, you need to contact the West Midlands Ambulance Service at least 2 weeks before your appointment.

Area covered: Coventry and Warwickshire.
For more information and how to book, contact WMAS. WMAS PTS Website, Phone: 01926 310312.

Randex-Phoenix Private Ambulance Service (RPPAS)

Randex-Phoenix Private Ambulance Service is based in Warwick, offering ambulance transport for anyone with impaired mobility for whom safe and comfortable door-to-door travel is difficult, uncomfortable, or inappropriate by private car or public transport.

Area covered: Local or long distance.
For prices and how to book please contact Randex-Phoenix. RPPAS Website, Email: info@phoenix-ambulance.co.uk, Phone: 01926 403359.