How to get social care services

Social care services and support can include: 

• help at home from a personal assistant, care worker or support worker
• home adaptations
• disability equipment and assistive technology
• residential care, sheltered housing and care homes
• day services like day centres

To get support that meets your care needs as a disabled person, ask your local authority for a social care needs assessment. 

Contact your local authority (GOV.UK)

An assessment is a chance to discuss with the local authority:

• what is important to you
• your needs
• what you may need support with
• what having those needs met would mean to you, often called outcomes
• whether you meet the eligibility criteria for social care

You do not pay for a needs assessment. There are 6 stages:

1. Ask your local authority or council for a needs assessment. 
2. Prepare for your needs assessment.
3. Have the needs assessment in a place that is accessible to you.
4. Receive a report explaining the results and if you get support.
5. If you do qualify for support, have a financial assessment.
6. Receive your care package that says what support you get and how to access it. 

You can get support throughout the process from an advocate.

Advocates for social care assessments and appeals

You can make a complaint or challenge your social care decision. 

Social care is not free for everyone. How much you pay towards the cost of your care will depend on your finances. Most people will have to pay something towards the cost.

Your local authority will carry out a financial assessment to decide how much you can afford to pay. This will decide your weekly contribution.

Local authorities cannot charge for some types of care and support. This includes:

• short-term intermediate care for up to 6 weeks after you leave hospital 
• community equipment, such as aids and minor adaptations costing up to £1,000

Care and support you can get for free (NHS)

Disability equipment and aids can help you get around and do daily tasks. These aids can include:

• wheelchairs and mobility scooters 
• smartphones
• phone and tablet apps
• smart home technology 
• communication aids and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• home adaptations 

Most disabled people who need equipment to help them to live more independently can get it for free from their local authority. You will need to ask for a social care needs assessment.

If you need equipment that you cannot get funding for, you may be able to:

• look for free or used disability equipment
• apply for grants
• fundraise

We have more information on paying for disability equipment and assistive technology.

There are things you can do to help find aids and equipment:

• find the right equipment and assistive technology.
• talk to professionals for assessments and advice
• find assistive technology training and support