If you or someone you love has started to find everyday life more difficult at home, a care needs assessment is often the first formal step toward getting some support in place. Many people have never heard of one until a GP, hospital discharge team, or social worker mentions it. This guide explains what it is, how to request one, and what the different outcomes can mean for you.
What is a care needs assessment
A care needs assessment is a conversation with your local council, carried out by a social worker or occupational therapist, to understand how a health condition, disability, or age-related difficulty is affecting your daily life. Rather than focusing on diagnosis or clinical treatment, it looks at the practical side of everyday living: whether you can manage tasks like washing, dressing, cooking, and getting around safely at home.
Anyone can request one, regardless of their financial situation. The assessment itself is free. You do not need a GP referral to ask for one, though a GP or hospital team can also refer you.
To request an assessment, contact the adult social care team at your local council. Most councils have an online referral form or a dedicated phone line. You can find your local council's adult social care contact details at gov.uk.
What happens during the assessment
The assessment usually takes place at home, though it can sometimes happen by phone or video call. A social worker or care assessor will ask about your daily routines, what tasks feel difficult, and how things are at home. They will also consider whether you have family or friends providing informal support.
It helps to be honest about what a difficult day looks like, not just a good one. Many people underplay their difficulties during an assessment, which can affect the outcome.
You are entitled to have someone with you during the assessment, whether that is a family member, a friend, or an advocate. If English is not your first language, you can request an interpreter.
If the person needing support lacks capacity to fully participate, a family member or carer can be involved in the process. A separate carer's assessment is also available for anyone providing regular unpaid support to a loved one.
What the assessment looks at
The council uses a national eligibility framework called the Care Act 2014 to decide whether your needs meet the threshold for support. Eligible needs are those that arise from a physical or mental condition and significantly affect your ability to manage everyday tasks or maintain relationships and wellbeing.
Not all needs will meet the eligibility threshold, but the council must still provide information and advice about what other support might be available in your area, even if you are not eligible for funded support.
What can happen after an assessment
There are a few possible outcomes depending on your circumstances and eligibility.
If your needs are assessed as eligible, the council will work with you to create a care and support plan. This sets out what support you need and how it will be provided. As part of this, the council will carry out a financial assessment to determine whether you are expected to contribute to the cost of your care.
If you are eligible for funded support, you will be allocated a personal budget. This is the amount the council considers appropriate to meet your assessed needs. How that budget is used can vary, and this is where the choice becomes important.
One option is to receive your personal budget as a Direct Payment. Rather than the council arranging services on your behalf, the money is paid directly to you, giving you the flexibility to choose who supports you and how. Many people use a Direct Payment to connect with an independent ilarna Personal Assistant, which allows them to arrange support that genuinely fits around their life and routines. You can read more about how this works in our guide to using your Direct Payment with ilarna.
If your needs do not meet the eligibility threshold, the council cannot fund support, but they must still signpost you to other sources of help. This might include local voluntary organisations, community services, or self-funded options. Our guide to what funding is available for home support in the UK covers the main routes people explore when arranging support privately.
How long does it take
Councils are legally required to carry out an assessment within a reasonable timeframe, though in practice waiting times vary. If the situation is urgent, for example following a hospital discharge or a sudden change in circumstances, you can ask for the assessment to be prioritised. You can read more about planning support around a hospital discharge in our guide to coming home from hospital.
If you disagree with the outcome
If you feel the assessment did not accurately reflect your needs, or that the eligibility decision was wrong, you have the right to challenge it. You can ask the council to review their decision, and if you are still not satisfied, you can raise a formal complaint or contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Age UK offers helpful guidance on challenging care assessments and understanding your rights. Scope also provides advice for disabled people navigating the social care assessment process.
A note on timing
You do not have to wait until things feel unmanageable to request an assessment. Many people find it helpful to request one earlier, before a situation becomes urgent, so that support can be planned thoughtfully rather than arranged in a hurry.
If you would like to find out more about arranging support at home through ilarna, get in touch using the form below, or call us on 0208 050 4805.
