Social care needs assessment: How to arrange and prepare

A social care needs assessment looks at the support you may need with everyday life. You can ask your local authority for a free assessment if you think you need care and support. This guide explains how to arrange an assessment, what you may be asked and how to prepare.

At a glance

• Understanding your care and support needs: A social care needs assessment helps your local authority understand how your needs affect your daily life and what support may help.
• Assessments are free: A social care needs assessment from your local authority is free and is available to adults who appear to need care and support.
• Identifying the right support: The main purpose of the assessment is to determine what help a person needs, which may include equipment, home care, support from healthcare professionals, or adaptations.
• There is no obligation to accept care: Having a care needs assessment does not mean someone must start receiving care; it is a way to explore available support options and decide what is best for their wellbeing.

What is a social care needs assessment?

A social care needs assessment carried out by your local authority looks at the support you need in your daily life and whether you have eligible care and support needs. If you later choose a home care provider, the provider will usually carry out its own assessment before your care starts so it can understand how to support you safely and develop your care plan.

Who are care needs assessments for?

Needs assessments are for anybody with additional needs who is interested in receiving care or support. These could be for people with mental, physical or learning disabilities, older people or those with short or long-term illnesses.

The needs assessment will likely take place in your place of residence.

If a friend or relative is currently supporting you, they may wish to have a separate carer’s assessment.

What can a care needs assessment do for me?

The assessment helps your local authority understand what support you need with everyday life. Depending on your needs, this could include care and support at home, equipment or adaptations, or support to help you maintain your independence and wellbeing.

How to get a social care needs assessment

Arranging your first needs assessment

The first step when thinking about receiving care is to contact your local council and ask for a needs assessment. While the assessment itself is free, the local authority may review any care or support services suggested afterwards to determine how much you need to pay toward ongoing costs.

The local authority must give you as much information as possible about the needs assessment. Likewise, you must give them any information that will help them make appropriate adjustments, such as a sign language interpreter if you are deaf. Depending on the outcome of the assessment, you may be eligible for support with funding.

If you choose a home care provider, they will usually carry out their own assessment to understand your needs and how they can support you. This is separate from a social care needs assessment carried out by your local authority. Simply contact your chosen company to briefly discuss your wishes and arrange an appointment.

If your care needs change

If your local-authority-assessed needs have changed, contact the council about reviewing your care and support needs; if you’re receiving home care and want changes to how your provider supports you, speak to the provider about reviewing your care plan.

Do I have to start receiving care/support if I have a care needs assessment?

Having a needs assessment is not a commitment to receiving care. The assessment is to decide what is best for you and your wellbeing, and you may decide after talking with your assessor that you are not ready for care.

Care needs assessment questions

It’s important that your needs assessor knows everything you’d like from your care, so it’s a good idea to jot down some ideas before the appointment. They need to know what you struggle with day to day and the impact on your wellbeing.

Below are some questions that your needs assessor may ask you.

Your living situation

• Who do you live with?
• How long have you lived in your home?
• Who owns the property you live in?
• Are you able to keep your home clean and tidy independently?
• Are you able to manage the upkeep of your home independently?
• Do you have any safety concerns about your home or living situation?
• Have you ever fallen in your home?
• Do you have any pets and what care do they need?

Finances

• Are you in receipt of any benefits and what are they?
• Do you manage your finances yourself or does somebody help you?
• Are you able to pay your bills independently?
• Do you have a Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs?

Your health

• What health concerns or conditions (if any) do you have?
• Have you ever had a mental health issue?
• Do you take any medication?
• Do you attend any medical appointments regularly?
• Do you have a Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare?

Looking after yourself

• What foods do you tend to eat?
• Where do you eat your meals?
• Do you have any dietary requirements?
• Do you have any difficulty when it comes to eating and drinking?
• How to you get your groceries?
• How do you care for your personal hygiene?
• Are you able to get to the toilet in time?
• Do you have any difficulties with dressing yourself?

Your lifestyle

• Do you have a faith/religion and how do you like to practise that?
• What are your hobbies?
• Do you attend any social activities?
• Do you work or volunteer?
• How do you get around when out and about?
• Do you have any goals that support could help you to achieve?
• What kind of support network do you have?
   

How is a care needs assessment carried out?

Needs assessments are usually done face to face but it is possible to have them via telephone or online. Your assessor will have a form with their questions on it and blank boxes where they can fill in your answers.

It is a good idea to have a family member present at the needs assessment. If you don’t have a relative, close friend or carer to be there with you, and have difficulties communicating, your local council will provide you with a friendly and experienced support worker to help you.

The needs assessor will have a friendly talk with you about your needs and wishes. They will have a form with questions to ask you. They may also need to see your home to make sure that it is a safe environment and to think about whether you might need any equipment, such as a hoist or shower chair.

It is extremely important to be honest with your needs assessor. Many people can feel embarrassed about requesting care because they cannot do things that they used to do easily.

Your assessor will be trained and experienced so it’s unlikely that any issues you are having will surprise them. They will be compassionate and impartial, as doctors are, and like doctors they are simply there to decide what is the best course of action to maximise your health and wellbeing. Honesty is essential for them to provide the care you need.

When should my care and support needs be reviewed?

You should have further needs assessments when your care needs change to make sure that your care plan is up-to-date. This could be once a year, every six to eight weeks after your first care plan is drawn up, or immediately after any significant events such as hospital visits or a change in your living situation.

Next steps

• Contact your local council: Contact your local authority’s social services department to request a free care needs assessment.
• Prepare your information: Before the appointment, write down notes about your daily struggles, living situation, health conditions, and any specific support you feel you need.
• Involve a friend, family member, or advocate: Consider having someone you trust present during the assessment to help you remember key details and support you through the process.

FAQs