SWAPS is a generic service offering placements for people with learning disabilities, mental health problems, physical disabilities and older people. The service is available to adults (aged over 18).

It may be appropriate where:

• Someone is living independently but needs or wants a little more help on a day to day basis whilst still being able to live in a “normal” non institutionalised setting
• Someone has some moderate to complex care and support needs but where moving into a care home would be inappropriate (for example a young person moving into a home with people significantly older than them)
• Someone is currently in a care home but would prefer to live in a smaller more family orientated setting
• Someone has been living at home with their family but this is no longer tenable or the family cannot cope
• Someone has been fostered on a long term basis and is now approaching 18 and wishes to continue living with the foster family (in this case the foster family would also have to register with us as adult placement providers)

Service User Contribution

The service user pays toward the cost of their placement from their income – this is usually benefit income. The benefits usually applicable are Housing Benefit, Disability Living Allowance and Income Support including the Severe Disability Premium.  For older people it would be Housing Benefit, Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit.  These benefits are awarded to enable people to live in the community and pay for the additional help and support they need to do so. 

The service user contribution is worked out by SWAPS who manages the financial processes.