Community care assessments vary. Often, a social worker or other professional will arrange a time to visit you at home to discuss your physical, psychological, social and cultural needs and circumstances. Their job is to identify which needs, if any, should be met by the local authority.
It may help you to prepare for the assessment if you think about your care needs in advance and keep a daily diary of what everyday tasks you can and can’t do.
If you have complex needs, your local health and social services teams should put together a care plan which they should discuss with you.
If there is a choice of different services which could meet your needs, the local authority is allowed to offer the most cost-effective option but it should not refuse to provide a service on the grounds of cost.
Alternatively you may be offered a direct payment so that you can pay for the services you want yourself.
Your local social services or social work department should publish information on the kinds of services it provides, who is eligible for an assessment, how to apply for an assessment and how to make representations and complaints.
