EVCU FAQs

The best starting point is to contact your local authority safeguarding team. You can make a safeguarding referral if you think someone is at risk of harm or abuse. Referrals can be made online or by phone by anyone, and can be anonymous. If the vulnerable person is not at risk of harm but needs care, the local authority can similarly be contacted to conduct a ‘Care and Needs’ assessment.

If you have not made a Power of Attorney, your friends, family or Local Authority could apply to become your Deputy and to make decisions for your finances.

Best Interests decisions may need to be made on your behalf in relation to health and welfare issues (care, treatment, where you live).

These decisions are made by a collective group of relevant people/organisations (most often close relatives, the NHS and Social Services).

You can choose to appoint a friend that you trust, or an independent professional to act as your Attorney in the future. Tollers have a specialist team which manages the affairs for individuals in this way. Talk to Tollers for advice about your options and how we could support you as a professional Attorney.

Going into a care home should not always be considered as the worst-case scenario. If you need to receive care in the future, your wishes, feelings and needs will be considered to ensure all options are explored.

You will only need to go into a care home if this is the last resort for your care and needs to be supported, and to ensure that you are protected from harm.

If you have an Attorney or Deputy, they can ensure your bills are managed and that your assets are invested where possible. They should ensure your money is used for you and that you have everything you need to continue to enjoy a good quality of life.

Unfortunately, wherever there is power there is often abuse of that power. The majority of Attorneys who are removed for financial misconduct are close friends and relatives, such as children. The most important thing to consider when choosing Attorneys is to choose trustworthy individuals whose interests will not conflict with your own.

Choosing professional Attorneys such as Solicitors may cost a little bit more in the long run but you can at least be assured that your interests will be managed without bias and that your assets will be safeguarded and used for your benefit only.