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If you’re looking for some support to look after yourself in your everyday life, this guide is for you.

How can you find out if your council can help you with care and support?

Whether you’re wondering where to start or have already spoken to your local council about getting help, we can guide you through the care needs assessment process step by step.

There can be a lot of jargon in social care, so you might not be sure whether it’s the type of help you need. Here are a few phrases you might not be familiar with:

In the context of social care, your entitlement to receive services based on whether you meet the qualifying criteria.

A care needs assessment can sound intimidating but it’s really just a chance for you to talk about how you’re coping with everyday tasks and what help you might need. Here are a few reasons to consider it:

A care needs assessment is to find out what your needs are and how they can be met. If you’re eligible for council support, you’ll have a different assessment to work out how much you can afford to pay.

Please choose from the following options:

If you need more help, read our guide on <A href="https://www.independentage.org/information/advice-guides-factsheets-leaflets/getting-help-at-home" target="new">Getting help at home</a> or <a target="_blank" href="https://www.independentage.org/get-support/call-helpline">call our Helpline</a> on 0800 319 6789 and they can assist you.

Or, if you're ready to contact your local council, you can [[see what help they can offer]].

If you need some help to look after yourself, you should contact the council to ask for a care needs assessment.

This is a chance for you to talk to a trained professional about what help you need.

For example, you might be finding it hard to wash and dress or to get around your home safely. The assessor will look at what activities you struggle with and consider whether you are eligible for help from the council.

To arrange the assessment, contact the adult social services team at the council. You can find contact details for your local council in the phone book, or you can look them up on <a href="https://www.gov.uk/apply-needs-assessment-social-services" target="_blank">Gov.uk</a>.

Council websites vary and might refer to assessments under slightly different names. If you’re having trouble contacting your council or working out who to contact, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.independentage.org/get-support/call-helpline">call our Helpline</a> on 0800 319 6789 to arrange to speak to an adviser.

You’ve arranged an assessment, but how will it be carried out? Assessments can be carried out face-to-face or over the phone, or could take the form of a supported self-assessment.

Self-assessments might be available online or as a paper questionnaire.

For more information on the different types of assessment, read our factsheet <a href="https://www.independentage.org/information/advice-guides-factsheets-leaflets/first-steps-getting-help-your-care-needs" target="new">First steps in getting help with your care needs</a>.

Are you happy with the type of assessment you’ve been offered?

If you don’t know why you’ve been turned down or you disagree with the council’s reasons for refusing an assessment, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.independentage.org/get-support/call-helpline">call our Helpline</a> on 0800 319 6789 to arrange to speak to an adviser. Or you can read our factsheet <a href="https://www.independentage.org/information/advice-guides-factsheets-leaflets/first-steps-getting-help-your-care-needs" target="new">First steps in getting help with your care needs</a> for more information.

How soon you’ll have your assessment depends on how urgent your needs are. Government guidance says you should be given an assessment within ‘an appropriate and reasonable time’, but doesn’t give precise timescales. [[If your needs are urgent]], make sure you tell the council.

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If you think you have been waiting too long, ask to speak to <a href="https://www.gov.uk/apply-needs-assessment-social-services" target="_blank">the manager of adult social care</a> to find out how long they expect the process to take.

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The council should take your preferences into account when deciding what type of assessment to give you. In particular, you can refuse to use a self-assessment. They should also consider your needs. For example, a face-to-face assessment might be necessary for more complex needs.

If you need some help or information, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.independentage.org/get-support/call-helpline">call our Helpline</a> on 0800 319 6789 to arrange to speak to an adviser or read our factsheet <a href="https://www.independentage.org/information/advice-guides-factsheets-leaflets/first-steps-getting-help-your-care-needs" target="_blank">First steps in getting help with your care needs</a> for more information on the different types of assessment.

Or go to the next step if you are ready to learn [[how to prepare for an assessment]].

You’re probably wondering what your assessment will be like. A care needs assessment is an opportunity for you to have a chat with a social care professional about the support you need.

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Some people feel nervous before their care needs assessment, but it shouldn’t be a worrying or stressful experience. It’s a conversation with you, not about you. Here are some frequently asked questions about assessments.

The assessor must have the right skills and experience to carry out the assessment. For example, it might be carried out by a social worker, occupational therapist or other healthcare professional. This will depend on your personal circumstances.

The council should consider whether your condition needs expert insight – for example, if you have dementia or a learning disability. If you’re deafblind, they must involve an expert who understands how the two conditions work together.

This depends on the type of assessment you’ve been offered. Most face-to-face assessments take place in your home, but you could ask to have your assessment somewhere else if you prefer. If you’re in hospital, you may be assessed there. Some assessments take place over the phone or online.

Yes, it’s a good idea to have someone with you. This could be a friend, family member or someone else who is involved in your care. Tell the council if you’d like someone else to be there and whether this needs to be at a certain time or on a particular date. A care needs assessment is about you, so even if someone else is with you the assessor should ask you all of their questions directly, rather than asking anyone else who’s present.

If you don’t have anyone who can accompany you, but think you’d benefit from some support, you might be able to get help from an <a href="https://www.independentage.org/information/support-care/taking-action/independent-advocacy" target="new">independent advocate</a>. Some people who would have substantial difficulties with the assessment process and haven’t got anyone who can help them be fully involved may be legally entitled to independent advocacy support. To check if this might apply to you, or for more information on advocacy, read our factsheet <a href="https://www.independentage.org/information/advice-guides-factsheets-leaflets/independent-advocacy" target="new">Independent advocacy</a>.

You should be given information about the assessment process in an accessible format, including a list of questions to be covered in the assessment. <a href="https://www.independentage.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/Preparing%20for%20your%20care%20needs%20assessment%20checklist.pdf" target="new">Download our printable checklist</a> of things to think about before your assessment for more information.

That depends on your needs. It should last long enough for all your needs to be discussed and for you to be happy that you’ve said everything you wanted to say.

It’s not always easy to tell. If you’re not sure if you’ve had a care needs assessment, ask your council. If you're not sure how to ask your council, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.independentage.org/get-support/call-helpline">call our Helpline</a> on 0800 319 6789.

• [[Tell me more about how to prepare for an assessment]].

So what exactly happens at the assessment? It’s an opportunity for you to talk to a trained professional about how you’re managing in your daily life.

The person carrying out the assessment should ask you how your support needs affect you in all the different areas of your life. They should also ask you what you want to achieve – known as your ‘outcomes’. For example, you might want to be able to get out and about more, stay living in your own home, or make new friends.

The aim is to work out what your needs are and consider what they might be preventing you from doing. The assessment looks at all aspects of your life. For example, the assessor will consider:

The assessor will also work out whether your needs are eligible for ongoing support from the council.

<div class="remember-box"><B>Remember!</b>

Social care is not free. If the council agrees you need support, you’ll have another assessment to work out how much you can afford to pay.

<B>Listen to someone who has had an assessment</b>

Hear someone who has had an assessment explain how the council can help.

<b>What is the purpose of the assessment?</b>

Hear a social worker explain the purpose of the assessment.

The assessor must consider three things. You’ll be eligible for support if the answer to all three of these questions is yes.

If the council decides you are eligible for support, you’ll have another assessment to work out how much you can afford to pay.

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The assessor has to ask you about ten particular areas of your life. They call these care outcomes. Have a look at the care outcomes below for examples of what this might mean.

The assessor will consider whether or not you can achieve each outcome. They should decide you can’t achieve a care outcome if:

For example, can you prepare and eat food without help? Think about every step of this. Can you plan what shopping you need?

Can you get to the shops to buy food?

Can you check use-by dates?

Can you hold and use cutlery?

Do you need someone to remind or encourage you to eat?

For example, can you wash yourself and clean your clothes? Think about every step of this.

Can you wash your whole body, including your back and your feet?

Can you get in and out of the bath or shower?

Can you do your own laundry? Are you able to buy cleaning products?

Does your medical condition mean that you have to do more laundry?

For example, can you get to the toilet safely during the day and at night?

Do you need help using the toilet?

Can you get to the toilet in time?

Is your toilet accessible?

Have you ever had a fall when trying to get to the toilet?

Do you need help to get out of bed? Do you need help changing bedding?

For example, can you dress yourself in clothes appropriate for the weather?

Can you get dressed and undressed by yourself? Do you need anyone to help you?

Are there any things you find difficult – for example, buttons, laces, bending to put on socks and shoes?

Are you able to buy new clothes?

Do you have a sensory impairment (for example, sight or smell loss) that makes it difficult for you to tell if your clothes are clean/you’re wearing the right clothes?

For example, this includes getting up stairs, using kitchen facilities or accessing the bathroom and toilet, as well as the area around the home, for example steps leading up to your home.

Can you get in and out of bed without help?

Can you get on and off the sofa or your armchair without help?

Do you need/have you got any equipment, for example, hoists or walking aids such as a Zimmer or Delta frame, or any electronic devices (telecare) such as a red button alarm or sensors?

Have you had any falls?

Can you use all your appliances safely – for example, your cooker or heaters? Can you use your kitchen safely and get in and out of it?

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This is about keeping your home clean, safe and fit for living in, with access to amenities such as water, gas and electricity.

For example, can you keep kitchen surfaces and crockery clean?

Can you pay your gas, electricity and water bills and keep up-to-date with home maintenance?

Have you got a lot of stuff that makes it hard to move around your home?

Do you sometimes forget to turn things off – for example, taps or the cooker?

Do you have a sensory impairment (for example, sight or hearing loss) that may mean you’re at risk of falls or fire?

Is your home damp?

This is about meeting and staying in touch with new people or the people that you already know. Social contact is important for your wellbeing and isolation can lead to anxiety and depression. Think about how much contact you personally need and how it affects your mood.

For example, do you feel isolated or lonely? For example, can you travel to visit relatives, or take part in social events so you don’t feel isolated?

Does your health condition make it hard for you to meet new people?

Who do you go to if you need help or support?

Do you feel you need more contact with people?

Do you need support to help you have contact with other people – for example, making arrangements, help with transport?

This is about having a job, learning new skills, how you spend your leisure time, being able to pursue your personal interests and enjoying life.

For example, could you attend a course if you’d like to, or take up a volunteering opportunity for a local cause?

Did you use to have a hobby that you can no longer do because of your condition?

Do you have any difficulties communicating with other people?

Are you able to leave your home safely?

For example, can you get to your GP and other healthcare appointments?

Does your health condition make it difficult for you to get out?

Can you get to the shops?

Can you get out to other places you like to go such as the library, a cafe, the pub?

Can you get out to meet your friends?

Can you use public transport? Could you afford a taxi if you needed one?

Do you have problems walking?

For example, can you manage caring responsibilities you have as a grandparent?

Does your health condition make this difficult for you?

Do you need support to do this?

<a href="https://www.independentage.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/Considering%20your%20care%20needs%20download.pdf" target="new">Download and fill in our printable form</a>. This will help you think about your individual care needs.

The council doesn’t just consider what you can’t do. It also looks at whether the fact you can’t do certain things is having a significant impact on your wellbeing.

So what does that mean?

Wellbeing covers a range of things, including:

The assessor will have to use their judgement to decide whether something is having a ‘significant impact’ on your wellbeing. To do this they should consider what matters to you most.

For example, if you used to attend many social clubs but now can’t get out and about, the effect on your social life might be important. However, this might be less significant for someone who didn’t attend social events and was happier in their own company.

Preparing for your assessment is important. Good preparation will make it easier to fully answer all the questions you’re asked and make sure the assessment gives a true reflection of your needs.

Try to give a realistic picture of your care and support needs and how they affect your day-to-day life. This might feel difficult or embarrassing but it’s important to be honest. If you don’t mention something, the assessor won’t know that it’s affecting you and this could affect whether you're eligible for help and the support you’re offered.

Stress the things that you can’t do or find it difficult to do and try not to understate your difficulties. Make it clear if there are things you can only do because you usually have help with them. The assessor must consider all of your support needs, regardless of whether you currently get help with them or not.

<a href="https://www.independentage.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/Preparing%20for%20your%20care%20needs%20assessment%20checklist.pdf" target="new">Download our printable checklist</a> of things to think about before your assessment.

<a href="https://www.independentage.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/Considering%20your%20care%20needs%20download.pdf" target="_blank">Download and fill in our printable form</a>. This will help you think about your individual care needs.

There are some extra things to think about if your needs vary – for example, if they change at different times of day or from month to month. The council might describe these as ‘fluctuating needs’.

<B>Why it's important to prepare for your assessment</b>

Play the video below to hear a social worker explain why it's important to prepare for your assessment.

Please choose from the following options:

If your needs often change, the assessor should make sure the assessment reflects that. That might mean giving you more than one face-to-face assessment or involving a professional who understands your condition in the assessment.

Keeping a diary of your support needs for a week or two could be particularly useful if your health changes from day to day and this affects what you might need help with. Also consider how your condition changes over a longer period. For example, if you have arthritis, cold weather may have an impact on your mobility.

Return to the previous page, [[What should I do to prepare for my assessment]].

It’s helpful to make a note beforehand of anything you really want to know from your assessor so you’re not left with any unanswered questions.

Here are a few questions you might want to ask:

Don’t worry if you later think of a question you didn’t ask or something you should have mentioned about your needs. It’s fine to contact the social worker afterwards if you forget something or want to check any details. Make sure they give you their contact details.

<a href="https://www.independentage.org/sites/default/files/2019-02/Questions%20to%20ask%20checklist.pdf" target="new">Download a copy of the checklist</a> of questions to ask on the day. You can print this and add your own questions.

When you’re ready for the next step, click below:

Your assessment has taken place. For most people, one assessment visit will be enough to work out your needs. Sometimes, not everything can be covered in one visit. For example, the assessor may need to come back if your care needs are complicated or change regularly. This will help them to build a clearer picture of the kind of support that will be suitable for you.

A different healthcare professional may also need to assess you. For example, an occupational therapist might consider whether you’d benefit from some aids or adaptations to help you at home.

You should receive a written record of your completed assessment – <a href="https://www.gov.uk/apply-needs-assessment-social-services" target="_blank">ask the council</a> if you haven’t received this. It must say whether or not you are entitled to help from the council.

Please choose from the following options:

If you’re eligible for council help, the council will look at your finances to decide whether they should be contributing towards the costs of the support you need.

If the council is arranging or paying for some or all of your care, they will work with you to develop a <a href="https://www.independentage.org/information/support-care/assessing-your-needs/your-care-and-support-plan" target="new">care and support plan</a>. This will set out in detail how your needs should be met.

Follow the links below for more information on what happens next:

Click here for more information on what to do next and a selection of useful downloads:

The council should still give you information and advice about where you can go to get the support you need, such as local care agencies or voluntary services.

Please choose from the following options:

If you’re not happy with what the assessor has written about your support needs, or you don’t agree with their decision about whether you're eligible for council help, contact the council to ask them to look at it again. If you still aren’t happy, you can make a complaint.

<a href="https://www.independentage.org/sites/default/files/2017-03/Factsheet-Complaints-about-care-and-health-services.pdf" target="_blank">Download our complaints factsheet</a> to read more about making a complaint.

If you disagree with the result of your assessment and want help to make a complaint or work out what to do next, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.independentage.org/get-support/call-helpline">call our Helpline</a> on 0800 319 6789 to arrange to speak to an adviser. There are time limits for making a complaint or using a solicitor to pursue a legal case, so don’t delay.

Cick the link below for more information on what to do next and a selection of useful downloads:

Thank you for using our interactive guide to help you prepare for your care needs assessment.

If you have any feedback on this tool and how we can improve it in the future, we would love to hear from you. Please <a href="https://www.independentage.org/contact-us" target="new">contact us</a> or call 0800 319 6789.

To help us develop new information products in the future, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.independentage.org/information/join-our-readers-panel">join our Readers' Panel </a>.

If you urgently need some help (for example, to avoid being admitted to hospital) ask the council for an urgent assessment. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/apply-needs-assessment-social-services" target="_blank">Contact the council</a> for the area where you are at that time and ask to speak to the social worker on duty about your situation. Tell them how urgent your case is and why when you arrange the assessment.

Sometimes, the council might arrange support for you before your assessment takes place. They must consider whether to do this. In certain circumstances, they must do this – for example, if your life would be at risk without urgent care. If you received urgent support before having an assessment, the type of support and how it’s paid for might change once you’ve had a full assessment.

A care needs assessment is to find out what your needs are and how they can be met. If you’re eligible for council support, you’ll have a different assessment to work out how much you can afford to pay.

Please choose from the following options:

If you need more help, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.independentage.org/get-support/call-helpline">call our Helpline</a> on 0800 319 6789 to arrange to speak to an adviser.

Once you've done this, return to [[I’ve arranged an assessment]].

If you have questions about anything you have read while using this guide, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.independentage.org/get-support/call-helpline">call our Helpline</a> on 0800 319 6789 or <a href="https://www.independentage.org/contact-us" target="new">contact us</a>.

Tell me more about <a href="https://www.independentage.org/information/support-care/paying-for-care/paying-for-care-services-at-home" target="new">how the council assesses my finances</a>.

Tell me more about <a href="https://www.independentage.org/information/support-care/assessing-your-needs/your-care-and-support-plan" target="new">the care and support plan</a>.]

You might be wondering what help is available and how you can get it. If you need some support in your everyday life, it’s best to start by asking your local council to look at what help you might need. The council calls this a care needs assessment.

The support they suggest for you will depend on your needs, but might include things like home adaptations, disability equipment, visits from carers, day centres, and residential care.

What stage are you at now?

Once you’ve found your council’s contact details, you can arrange a care needs assessment.

You might be able to do this by phone or online. If you’re phoning, ask to speak to adult social services. Tell them you want to arrange a care needs assessment. [[If your needs are urgent]], make sure you tell the council at this stage so you’re not left waiting too long for your assessment. You may be asked a few questions at this stage, so take a look at our tips on how to prepare for an assessment.

<b>Arranging an assessment for someone else</b>

It’s possible to arrange an assessment for someone else, such as a relative or someone you care for. If you’re doing this, you’ll need to get their consent in advance, unless they don’t have the <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/m/mental-capacity" target="_blank">mental capacity</a> to make that decision. If they don't have mental capacity to agree to the assessment, be prepared to explain briefly why you think they are unable to make this decision. To arrange the assessment, contact the adult social services team at the council.

If you’re caring for the person you’re arranging an assessment for, you are entitled to a <a href="https://www.independentage.org/information/support-care/support-for-carers/getting-a-carers-assessment" target="_blank">carer’s assessment</a> for yourself to see what support you can get.

Please choose from the following options: