Getting a care needs assessment

Before talking to the council about social care support, try looking at what's already available in your local community. There are many services, groups and activities that can help you stay independent and living at home for longer.

Our online self-assessment tool can also help you to see where you need most help and find useful products and information.

If you still need support, you can:

• contact us directly to ask for a care needs assessment
• ask a healthcare professional to refer you.

What happens after you get in touch

Once we receive your referral, someone from our team will contact you. We’ll start with a conversation about your situation, what matters to you, and what support you may need.

We may be able to help straight away, without a full assessment. We focus on your strengths and what you can do, rather than what you can't.

If more help is needed, we’ll do a full care needs assessment with you. This helps us plan the right support to help you stay independent.

What to expect during a care needs assessment

A care needs assessment involves us talking to you and any other people involved in your care to understand what help you might need day-to-day. This uses national criteria in line with the Care Act 2014.

The assessment is free and can be done:

• over the phone
• online
• face-to-face at home

Whatever option you choice, you can have someone with you, like a friend or carer. We can also arrange for an advocate to support you.

Throughout, you will be at the centre of the process so we can get a full picture of your wishes and needs. You will be asked questions about your health conditions as well as the following:

• getting washed and dressed
• using the toilet or using continence aids
• making and eating meals
• moving around your home safely
• accessing the community and using local services.

It is your opportunity to tell us what a typical week is like and where you need help, even with small things like turning taps on. The more you share, the better we can plan your care.

Your information is confidential and only shared with people involved in your care.

If you're in hospital, we’ll also talk about support you may need at home when you're ready to leave.

If you don’t qualify for social care

Even if you don’t meet the criteria for council support, we can still help by:

• giving advice and information
• connecting you to local services, charities or community groups
• suggesting useful equipment or technology to support your independence.

What support you could get

If you're eligible, we’ll work with you to create a Support Plan. This will explain:

• what help you’ll get
• who will provide it
• any costs involved.

Social care is not always free. If you need services that have to be paid for, we will work with you to complete a financial assessment to see how much you might need to pay.

Your plan might include:

• signposting to services
• help finding local activities or social groups
• advice and guidance
• aids, products and technology that can help in the home
• support with getting adaptations made to your home
• short-term help (reablement) to recover after illness or a hospital stay.