Social care

Needs assessments, care and support plans, direct payments and carers' rights.

Sample content. This summarises official sources listed below. It is information, not legal advice.

Key points

In England, the Care Act 2014 gives you the right to a needs assessment if it looks like you may need care and support.
Assessment is free and does not depend on your income. A separate financial assessment decides what you contribute.
If you are eligible, the council must produce a care and support plan and a personal budget.
You can ask for direct payments so you can arrange your own support.
Unpaid carers have a right to a separate carer's assessment.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own social care laws and processes.
A worked example: someone recovering from a stroke who needs help washing and dressing can ask for a needs assessment; if eligible, the council must agree a support plan setting out how needs will be met, whether through commissioned care, direct payments, or a mix of both.
In Wales, similar assessment and eligibility duties come from the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014; in Scotland, self-directed support gives similar choice and control; in Northern Ireland, Health and Social Care Trusts carry out assessments under separate legislation.

Ask your council's adult social care team for an assessment; you can ask by phone, online or in writing.
Ask for an advocate if it is hard for you to take part in the assessment.
Ask for a written copy of the eligibility decision and the reasons.
Use the council's complaints process, then the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.