Application

Application should be made through your local social work team or other referring agent. Applications are normally channelled through professional workers through the CARENAP system. Full Carenap and any additional supporting information should be sent to Mark Grierson, Day Services Manager, Health and Social Care, City Of Edinburgh Council, level 1:6 Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, EH8 8BG.

Assessment

• On receipt of your application your case will be presented to the Intake Panel which meets monthly. The referrer will be contacted with the outcome. You may then be invited to spend a day at the centre with our occupational therapist. This should help in deciding whether regular attendance would be desirable, while also giving the centre a better idea of the level of service required. Following this, management and OT staff meet along with our medical representative to make a decision as to whether a place can be offered. You may also be given information regarding more appropriate services.
  If appropriate the applicant is placed on a waiting list. When space becomes available the applicant is then invited to attend the centres “new starts” group which normally would last for around 6 weeks.
  At a date, when space becomes available clients are invited to attend the centre on a regular basis, usually for two or three days per week.

• Referral Guidelines

  Centre management and Medical Advisors have recently collaborated on a review of client referrals to Firrhill Centre, a centre for adults with physical disability. In order to assist potential referrers in their task of advising clients, a set of guidelines has been developed.

  Fundamental indicators

  The client should be aged 16 to 65
  The client should have a measurable physical impairment which

  cause significant disability and
  is related to a recognised disabling medical condition and
  is supported by medical evidence

  
  Example: Stroke, Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis etc.

  
  Once these fundamental indicators are established, priority is likely to be determined as follows:

  High Priority

  Social isolation
  Family need for a break from caring
  Lack of opportunity to access other agencies to fulfil needs
  Highly motivated individuals
  Identifiable barriers to independent living
  Potential to achieve greater independence

  Low Priority

  Significant existing community support / opportunities
  Evidence of behaviour with risk to self or others
  Mainly nursing care and support required

  The following circumstances are unlikely to be considered appropriate:

  Where principal needs relate to Learning Disability.
  Common conditions where impairment is minimal, or presents intermittently e.g. uncomplicated epilepsy, osteoarthritis, and angina.
  Where disability is related to medically unexplained symptoms e.g. pain syndromes, chronic fatigue syndromes, irritable bowel syndromes.
  Where disabilities relates mainly to mental health issues e.g. schizophrenia or other psychosis, somatisation / somatisation disorder, personality disorder, active alcohol / drug dependency problems.