What a care needs assessment is for
A care needs assessment helps our social work team to understand what extra support could help you with your daily life, or the daily life of someone you care for.
The assessment will help you find out about:
- your care needs
- how to get the care and support you need
- if you qualify for care funded by the council
- information about our partner organisations and services
Who can have one
Anyone can request a care needs assessment, but there may be better routes to help you.
When you request an assessment, a team member will call you to discuss your needs. After this conversation, you may both decide that you do not need more input from adult social care and that other organisations or services can offer you the help that you need.
Request for someone else
You can request a care needs assessment on behalf of someone else. Make sure you answer the form questions as if you were them.
You’ll need their permission to formally request an assessment for them, unless they cannot make or communicate that decision themselves.
If you regularly provide support to someone who couldn't manage without your help, you're considered a carer. You can take a carer's assessment to get personalised support for you in your caring role. Find out about carer's assessments
Steps to request an assessment
- Complete the eligibility checker to find out if you’re likely to qualify for care and support from us.
- The checker will offer you some services that you can contact for help without needing to speak to our social care team.
- If you’d still like to request an assessment, you’ll be able to do this at the end of the eligibility checker.
What happens after you request an assessment
- We aim to contact you within 7 days to discuss your needs.
- If we jointly agree that a care needs assessment is helpful to you, we'll arrange an appointment to visit you.
- The full assessment process can take around 6 weeks.