Support & Care

Questions we get asked the most

How do I get support from the council?How can I choose the best care home for my needs?How can I challenge my needs assessment?Why am I being charged top-up fees?

Assessing your needs

If you need extra help with your care, the first step is to contact your local council and ask for a care needs assessment. This free assessment will work out what help you need and how you might get it. The type of support suggested depends on your needs but might include things like disability equipment, adaptations to your home, visits from carers or residential care.

Paying for care

If you're working out how to pay for care, consider all the options you're eligible for. Start by getting an assessment from your local council to get expert advice on the care you need.

Help at home

If you think you could benefit from some extra help at home, a good place to start is with a care needs assessment from the local council. This will look at the help you need and make suggestions about how you can get it. Help with care can include disability equipment, home adaptations, or getting outside help to take care of the tasks you find it difficult to do yourself.

Care homes

Choosing a care home and working out how to pay for it can be complex. If you're considering a move to a care home, make sure you have as much information as possible about what to look for, where to look and how to make the move as easy as possible.

Taking action

If you experience problems with your care, there is action you can take. You can get help to express your views and there are procedures you can follow if you want to make a complaint. If you're worried about abuse, there are things you can do to protect yourself and there is help available.

Support for carers

Caring for someone can be demanding, both emotionally and financially. Make sure you know your rights as a carer and check what support and benefits are available to help you and the person you care for.