How to get care services

How to get care services

If you need to arrange care for yourself or someone else, the local council's social care department can help you.

First of all, contact the social care department at your local council to arrange:

• an assessment of your care needs – for the person needing care
• a carer’s assessment – for the person providing care

This process of planning care – with your local council – is called self-directed support.

Your assessment of care needs and/or carer’s assessment may also include a financial assessment.

How long you may have to wait for a service will depend on the National Eligibility Criteria.

Read more about what care at home services are available.

If you’re coming out of hospital and need care, a plan for your care will be arranged with you before you leave the hospital.

Emergency and future planning helps you plan for the care of an adult in case of emergencies or if you’re no longer able to care for them.