How Do I Ask for a Care Needs Assessment?
If an adult is struggling with everyday tasks because of illness, disability, frailty or another care need, you can contact their local council's Adult Social Care service and ask for a needs assessment.
If an adult is struggling with everyday tasks because of illness, disability, frailty or another care need, you can contact their local council’s Adult Social Care service and ask for a needs assessment.
You do not have to arrive with a diagnosis, a list of services you want or proof that the person cannot afford private care.
The purpose of the assessment is to establish what the person needs and how those needs affect daily life.
Who do I contact?
Contact the Adult Social Care or social services department of the local authority responsible for the person.
Council websites usually have an online referral route and telephone number. A GP or other professional may also make a referral, but you do not necessarily need to wait for them to do it.
If you are contacting the council for somebody else, explain your relationship and whether the person knows about the referral.
What should I say?
Lead with the difficulty, not a request for a particular product.
For example:
“Mum has dementia and is now leaving the cooker on and missing meals.”
“My husband cannot safely get in and out of bed without me and I am physically struggling to lift him.”
“Dad has fallen three times this month and I cannot leave him alone while I work.”
Those statements tell the assessor what has changed and why support may be needed.
Can the council refuse because the person has savings?
A needs assessment should not be refused simply because somebody appears able to pay for their own care.
Care Act guidance says people who appear to have care and support needs should be assessed regardless of their finances or whether the authority initially thinks their needs will meet the eligibility threshold.
A financial assessment is a separate stage where the council needs to decide what, if anything, the person should contribute towards chargeable support.
What happens during the assessment?
The assessor should explore the person’s needs, how they affect wellbeing, what the person wants to achieve and what support is already available.
The person should be involved. They can also have a carer or another person they nominate involved.
Where somebody has substantial difficulty participating and has nobody appropriate to support them, the local authority may have duties concerning independent advocacy.
What happens afterwards?
The council decides whether the person’s needs meet the national eligibility criteria and explains the outcome.
Where the authority is going to meet needs, care and support planning follows. This should describe how the eligible needs will be met and include the personal budget.
If circumstances change before the process is complete, tell the council rather than assuming the original referral still describes the situation.
What if things are getting worse while I wait?
Keep a record of significant changes such as falls, missed medication, inability to eat or wash safely, nighttime supervision or carer breakdown.
Contact Adult Social Care again if the level of risk or need has materially increased.
For new or urgent health deterioration, seek appropriate clinical help as well. Social care assessment should not replace medical assessment.
Important informationThis guide provides general information and is not intended to provide legal, financial, medical or other professional advice. Individual circumstances can be different. You may wish to check current information from official sources and seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional before making important decisions.