What is a care assessment?

If you think you or an older loved one needs support in day-to-day life, finding out where to start to discover what support is available can feel overwhelming.

What is a care assessment?

A care needs assessment from the local authority is the first step to getting the answers you need.

A care assessment tells you what services are available and what level of care is needed. This can cover everything from carers who visit your home to help with personal care and other tasks to care homes that provide round-the-clock support.

There’s no charge for a care needs assessment. A friend or carer can even ask for one on your behalf, with your permission.

Read more about care options and how to know if you or a loved one needs care.

Who carries out an assessment, and what can you expect?

The local authority will carry out your or your loved one’s care assessment. It usually happens face to face in your home, but it could also be over the phone, online or even by self assessment if you prefer.

They may also speak with your other care professionals, such as your GP, with your permission.

Do you need to prepare for a care needs assessment?

You might want to take some time to think about the kind of help you or your loved one needs before the assessment. It’s important that you give as much information as you can and are as specific as possible to ensure you are matched with the right level of care. 

And don’t only think about the support you need with your personal care – there are also cultural, social, religious and emotional needs to consider. For example, do you need help getting to your place of worship or visiting family?

It’s often helpful to have someone with you, such as a spouse, child or friend. If you don’t have a friend or carer to help, you can also have an advocate, who will help you fill in forms and sit with you in meetings and assessments.

How long it takes to get a care needs assessment depends on your individual needs and circumstances. 

How assessments help match you to the right care

You might wonder why you need a care assessment at all. Can’t you simply do your own research? 

Care assessments are a really important step in determining the level of care you need – for example, whether you need live-in carers, also called domiciliary care, or whether a care home would better suit your needs.

How assessments affect funding and costs

Anyone can have a needs assessment, no matter your income or savings. After your assessment, the local authority or trust will carry out a financial assessment, also called a means test. By looking at your or your loved one’s income and capital, they will work out how much you will need to contribute to the cost of care.

We’re here to help explain care funding. Understand more about what affects the cost of care.

Your next steps after an assessment

After your assessment, if you qualify for support, a care plan should be agreed with you, detailing your needs and how the local authority will meet them, for example the care services it will put in place for you.

What is a continuing healthcare needs assessment?

NHS continuing healthcare is arranged and funded by the NHS, and it is for people who have ongoing significant health needs.

To get NHS continuing healthcare, you must meet certain criteria, as eligibility is not based on whether you have a specific health condition. It’s available for a small group of people with high level needs.

If you think you might be eligible, speak to your GP or social worker to see if you qualify for an assessment for NHS continuing healthcare.

Your next steps after an assessment

After your assessment, if you qualify for support, a care plan should be agreed with you, detailing your needs and how the local authority will meet them, for example the care services it will put in place for you.

You will also have a financial assessment, also called a means test, to find out whether you’re entitled to help with the cost of care, and if so how much you need to contribute to the cost of care.

How Care UK can help

If a care home is the right option for you or your loved one, you can use our service locator to find a home near you. 

Care UK has more than 40 years of experience delivering award-winning care, with dedicated and highly trained teams located all around the country. 

We know that finding the right care can be a challenge, and our team is here to help. Learn more about how we can support you.

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