Apply for adult social care
If you have care and support needs or know someone else who does, we may be able to offer support. To determine if we can help we carry out a needs assessment.
What is the needs assessment?
The needs assessment is carried out by an assessor who will ask you questions to find out what kind of help you may need.
You can use the application form to:
- find out if you may be eligible for adult social care
- make a referral to the adult social care team
- see how much you may need to pay towards your care
Adult social care is not free for everyone. You may need to pay for some of your care. To determine if you will have to pay towards your care you will need to provide income and expenditure details. This could be details about your pension, rent and council tax.
It is confidential and will only be shared with those involved in your care. After the assessment we will decide whether you need support, and whether we can provide it.
If we cannot provide the support, we will refer you to the most appropriate agency.
Am I entitled to free care?
Unlike health care, social care is not free for everyone. The needs assessment is to identify whether you are eligible, under the Care Act. You will need to provide information for us to complete a financial assessment. This will enable us to work out how much you need to contribute towards your care.
This may be some or all of the cost of the care, depending on the amount of income, savings or assets you have.
The care and support needs assessor
The assessor is an employee of the council's social care services, or someone who works on their behalf. They will:
- be trained to gather the information needed and to give you advice
- carry identification including a photograph
- always tell you their name and where to contact them
If relatives or friends are helping to look after you the assessor will usually discuss your situation with them too. This is only done with your consent. If someone provides care for you, they can ask for an assessment of their needs as a carer. We may need to help them so they can help you. This applies to children who are providing care, as well as adults.
You can have a friend or relative with you to help put forward your views. If you wish, we can put you in touch with a voluntary organisation that can provide someone to help you.
What happens after the assessment?
You can have your own copy of the assessment if you ask for one. We can also give a copy to your carer, with your consent.
Your carer can also request for a separate assessment of their needs. This is called a carer's assessment. We will translate your assessment into your preferred language or format.