Buyer's Guide

The organisations listed on Hull Connect to Support are responsible for their own content. Being included on the website does not mean that Hull City Council has checked or approved the services provided by the organisations.

In order to provide choice and control Hull City Council is unable to accredit all organisations on the site. As the person buying the service or product you are responsible for the choice you make as you would be ordinarily.

If you think you might need support and want to check if you are eligible for financial support to meet your care needs contact Hull City Council on 01482 300 300. If you are using a direct payment to pay for services make sure what you buy meets the outcomes set out in your care plan. It is important to have a conversation with your Social Worker about this.

If you are not eligible for financial support you can use Hull Connect to Support to purchase products and services directly and also look for services that may be free or low cost.

In order to buy services through Hull Connect to Support you will need to sign up here.

Connect to Support Hull is available to all organisations who can offer care and support and who can provide a service that enables people to participate in their community. However in doing so it is impossible for councils to regulate and accredit all services and organisations on the site.

It is important to check the CQC reports when you are reviewing personal care or a residential care facility. All residential and homecare providers must be registered with the Care Quality Commission and you can search for the provider to read their quality reports.

Visit the Care Quality Commission here (Opens in a new window)

If you are purchasing products and services using the category 'Repair and Maintenance Services' visit the Trustmark website to ensure they are a registered organisation

Visit the Trustmark website here  (Opens in a new window)

If you need some help to find the right support, you can contact the See and Solve Team. This team will work with you about what you can do and will help you to find solutions to things that you are finding difficult.

You can contact the See and Solve Team by completing a self assessment (Opens in a new window)

Alternatively, you can contact them via

•  email: see&solve@hullcc.gov.uk (Opens in a new window)
•  telephone: 01482 300 300

Before you purchase any goods or services we recommend that you undertake the following checks - 

•  Speak to someone at the organisation, prepare and ask questions that will help you make a decision
•  Check that staff who would be working with you have been checked by The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) previously Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)
•  If you are buying goods or services online read the staying safe on line information
•  Are the services you are buying regulated and if so, is the organisation you are buying from appropriately registered?
•  Read the feedback from other people who have bought services from that organisation
•  Make sure that you have a contact number and postal address so you can contact the company if anything goes wrong

If you are meeting someone to discuss a service or buying a service carried out in your own home ask to see identification. There is information and support available if you are thinking about employing a personal assistant

•  Ask to see identification
•  Ask someone to be with you when you meet them
•  If you are going to employ someone always ask for references and follow them up

There is information and support available if you are thinking about employing a personal assistant

If you think you might be eligible for financial support to meet your care needs contact Hull City Council on 01482 300 300. If you are using a direct payment to pay for services make sure what you buy meets the outcomes set out in your care plan. It is important to have a conversation with your Social Worker about this.

If you want to buy a new service that you have not used before you should always find out more information about the service before you make a commitment to buying it. You do this by clicking on the 'Request more information' tab in the service information box (below the add to basket button):

Speak to someone at the organisation, prepare and ask questions that will help you make a decision
Check that staff who would be working with you have been checked by The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) previously Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)

•  Ask about the organisation's complaints policy and request a copy, so you know what to do if a problem arises
•  If you are buying goods or services online read the staying safe on line information
•  Are the services you are buying regulated and if so, is the organisation you are buying from appropriately registered?
•  Read the feedback from other people who have bought services from that organisation
•  The Price and Agreements and Contracts are fine

If you are not happy with the service - 

•  Complain to the organisation you bought the service or product from
•  If your complaint is investigated but you are not happy with the outcome you may want to contact Citizens Advice Bureau 01482 300 303 on or
•  the Trading Standards/Consumer Direct 0845 4040 506
•  If you are concerned about yourself or another person's safety and wellbeing contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 01482 616 092

Step 1 Search for Support

You can search for services and products on Hull Connect to Support by

•  Location
•  Type of Service
•  Condition or disability

You can then add the service to your basket

Step 2 to get in touch with the provider

You can then get in touch with the provider by Telephone, Email or selecting the request more information button

Step 3 Order a product and service online

When you are happy, you can make the order through shop for support

Step 4 Receive the service

You will then receive the service from the provider

Step 5 Pay

Connect to Support will then create an invoice for you in order for you to pay for your service