Care assessments
Find out how talking to your council can help them work
out which type of care is the right one for you.
When you contact your council about social care, they will carry
out a care assessment to find out what sort of
help you need.
This assessment will involve talking to you, your partner,
relatives or friends to find out exactly what care you need.
You have the right to a care assessment no
matter what your ability is to pay for any care that you may get in
future.
If you are not offered an assessment, you have a right to
complain under the council’s social services complaints
procedure.
You are also entitled to an assessment if you are a carer.
What say do I have?
The assessment should take your personal wishes
into account in deciding what sort of care you need.
If you would prefer to stay in your own home, the council should
make every effort to make that happen. If you prefer or need to be
in a care home or other supported accommodation, the care
assessment should take that into account.
You may want to ask for the help of an
advocate. This is someone who is independent from
the council who can help speak up on your behalf.
An advocate does not have to be a member of your family or a
friend, but can be someone independent.
Am I eligible for help?
The council – using government guidelines – will decide what
level your care needs are.
They will use a scale of:
- low
- moderate
- substantial
- critical.
Councils only have a limited amount of money,
and may choose to pay for only those people who are in most need of
help. Depending on where you live, if your needs are low or
moderate, you may not be entitled to the free care that is
available.
To find out what low, moderate, substantial and critical needs
are:
- ask your council
- call the Department of Health customer service centre on 020
7210 4850
How much will I have to pay?
If your needs match the level at which your council would be
prepared to help, they will also want to carry out a
financial assessment.