The assessment may be made by social care services staff or may begin with other colleagues such as nurses, or doctors. Some social care services staff work in community mental health or learning disabilities teams.

Asking for a needs assessment

If you are living at home the first step in receiving a needs assessment is to contact the customer services centre, or ask someone else to do this for you. We will talk to you about your situation and help you decide what you want to do next.

If you agree to an assessment, a member of staff at the customer services centre will take some details about the difficulties you are having and the help you already have. These details will be passed to the local social care services or health team who will contact you directly.

Alternatively, if you are already known to social care services and you think your needs have changed, you can ask any of the staff you are in contact with. They will arrange for your needs to be looked at again (in other words, to be re-assessed).

Receiving a needs assessment

During a needs assessment, we look at your individual situation regarding:

• Your personal needs;
• Your carer(s) needs, when applicable;
• The range of informal and neighbourhood support available to you; and
• The risks to your independence.

To make best use of the resources available, our policy is to give priority to meeting the needs of the most vulnerable people. We carefully consider urgency; risk to independence; and support from and for carers.

Where relevant, there will also be a check of your property and equipment, to ensure that any people who work in your home can do so in a safe environment. You may be asked to make unsafe situations safe.

As part of the assessment, you will be provided with information about the services social care services provide as well as what services are available from other organisations in your area. You do not have to pay for an assessment of your needs.

Finally, we will regularly re-asses your needs to make sure you are receiving the right amount and type of support.

Charges for social care services

You will have to pay for some social care services you receive but others may be free or at a reduced cost, depending on your financial circumstances.

The amount you pay for social care services will be determined through a financial assessment.

Carers assessment

Carers also have a right to an assessment where they give, or intend to give, substantial and regular care to a spouse, relative, friend or neighbour, who, due to disability, frailty, illness or vulnerability, cannot manage alone. See the carer assessment page for more information.

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