Social care needs assessment: How to arrange and prepare

What is a social care needs assessment?

A care needs assessment is carried out before a person starts receiving social care and support. It is an essential part of person-centred care and support planning.

The assessments are carried out by a specially trained staff member of the council or care company. The needs assessor aims to get a holistic picture of your wellbeing and areas where you need assistance.

They will use the information they gather to construct a care plan and, if you are going to receive care in your own home, try to match you with care workers with the personality and skills to deliver the best possible care for you.

Who are care needs assessments for?

Needs assessments are for anybody with additional needs who is interested in receiving care or support. These could be for people with mental, physical or learning disabilities, older people or those with short or long-term illnesses.

The needs assessment will likely take place in your place of residence.

If a friend or relative is currently supporting you, they may wish to have a separate carer’s assessment.

What can a care needs assessment do for me?

The primary goal of the assessment is for the care provider to find out what help you need and how they can deliver this help. This could be equipment, care or support from a care worker, nurse or occupational therapist.

How to get a social care needs assessment

Arranging your first needs assessment

The first step when thinking about receiving care is to contact your local council and ask for a needs assessment. They are legally obliged to provide you with one and it is funded by the NHS.

The local authority must give you as much information as possible about the needs assessment. Likewise, you must give them any information that will help them make appropriate adjustments, such as a sign language interpreter if you are deaf. Depending on the outcome of the assessment, you may be eligible for support with funding.

You can also receive a needs assessment from the care home or home care provider of your choice. Simply contact your chosen company to briefly discuss your wishes and arrange an appointment.

Arranging subsequent needs assessments

If you are already receiving care, you will have regular needs assessments in order to check that you are happy with the care you are receiving and to stay up-to-date on your needs and wishes.

If you feel your needs have changed or simply want a different care plan, you can contact your care provider and request an assessment.

Do I have to start receiving care/support if I have a care needs assessment?

Having a needs assessment is not a commitment to receiving care. The assessment is to decide what is best for you and your wellbeing, and you may decide after talking with your assessor that you are not ready for care.

Care needs assessment questions

It’s important that your needs assessor knows everything you’d like from your care, so it’s a good idea to jot down some ideas before the appointment. They need to know what you struggle with day to day and the impact on your wellbeing.

Below are some questions that your needs assessor may ask you.

Your living situation

• Who do you live with?
• How long have you lived in your home?
• Who owns the property you live in?
• Are you able to keep your home clean and tidy independently?
• Are you able to manage the upkeep of your home independently?
• Do you have any safety concerns about your home or living situation?
• Have you ever fallen in your home?
• Do you have any pets and what care do they need?

Finances

• Are you in receipt of any benefits and what are they?
• Do you manage your finances yourself or does somebody help you?
• Are you able to pay your bills independently?
• Do you have a Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Financial Affairs?

Your health

• What health concerns or conditions (if any) do you have?
• Have you ever had a mental health issue?
• Do you take any medication?
• Do you attend any medical appointments regularly?
• Do you have a Lasting Power of Attorney for Health and Welfare?

Looking after yourself

• What foods do you tend to eat?
• Where do you eat your meals?
• Do you have any dietary requirements?
• Do you have any difficulty when it comes to eating and drinking?
• How to you get your groceries?
• How do you care for your personal hygiene?
• Are you able to get to the toilet in time?
• Do you have any difficulties with dressing yourself?

Your lifestyle

• Do you have a faith/religion and how do you like to practise that?
• What are your hobbies?
• Do you attend any social activities?
• Do you work or volunteer?
• How do you get around when out and about?
• Do you have any goals that support could help you to achieve?
• What kind of support network do you have?
   

How is a care needs assessment carried out?

Needs assessments are usually done face to face but it is possible to have them via telephone or online. Your assessor will have a form with their questions on it and blank boxes where they can fill in your answers.

It is a good idea to have a family member present at the needs assessment. If you don’t have a relative, close friend or carer to be there with you, and have difficulties communicating, your local council will provide you with a friendly and experienced support worker to help you.

The needs assessor will have a friendly talk with you about your needs and wishes. They will have a form with questions to ask you. They may also need to see your home to make sure that it is a safe environment and to think about whether you might need any equipment, such as a hoist or shower chair.

It is extremely important to be honest with your needs assessor. Many people can feel embarrassed about requesting care because they cannot do things that they used to do easily.

Your assessor will be trained and experienced so it’s unlikely that any issues you are having will surprise them. They will be compassionate and impartial, as doctors are, and like doctors they are simply there to decide what is the best course of action to maximise your health and wellbeing. Honesty is essential for them to provide the care you need.

When should a social care needs assessment be reviewed?

You should have further needs assessments regularly to make sure that your care plan is up-to-date with your current needs. This should be once a year at minimum, every six to eight weeks after your first care plan is drawn up, or immediately after any significant events such as hospital visits or a change in your living situation.