The FACE RAS web service is a key component of the FACE RAS. A single central computerised service is used to generate estimated budgets for people around the country with social care needs who wish to take up a personal budget as set out in the government’s reforms of social care
The system is currently available only to councils using FACE tools. However, the intention is to make it available to all local authorities at the earliest opportunity.
How does it work?
First, a FACE assessment is completed with the service user. Assessment is proportionate to need – in straightforward cases the 1-page Needs Profile may suffice, whilst in cases of more complex need a full Overview may be completed.
The assessment contains scored items and these scores are entered into the local social care system.
The anonymised scores are then sent in real time to the RAS web service which then calculates and sends back an estimated budget, taking into account both the level and pattern of need and local financial and market conditions. This takes about 3 seconds.
Our goal is to help people needing social care to exercise maximise choice and control over their lives while enabling councils to manage their finances in a sustainable manner.
Paul Clifford, FACE RAS Programme Director
Re-calibration and benchmarking
The scores are stored in the national database and used subsequently for ongoing re-calibration of the RAS as required.
The central database also enables benchmarking, for example allowing councils to examine whether they are more or less generous than other councils in responding to particular patterns of need.