How to Get Help from Adult Social Care Services

Understand What an Assessment of Need Is

An Assessment of Need is an evaluation by Adult Social Care to determine what kind of support you may need to live independently and improve your well-being. They assess your physical, emotional, social, and psychological needs. This assessment helps to decide what services or support you may be eligible for.

Adult Social Care can provide support for a wide range of needs, including:

• Personal Care: Help with daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and eating.

• Home Support: Help with housekeeping, cleaning, and managing household tasks.

• Mobility Aids: Providing equipment or adaptations (e.g., wheelchairs, stairlifts) to help with movement and independence.

• Support with Mental Health: Access to counseling, therapy, or support groups for mental health issues such as anxiety.

• Care Packages: Organising care at home, including personal care assistants or carers.

• Social Support: Help with maintaining social connections and attending social events or activities.

• Advocacy: If you need someone to support you during assessments or appointments, they can provide an advocate.

Prepare for Your Request

Before you make your request for an assessment, it’s helpful to prepare any information that could support your case. Here’s what you might want to think about:

• Understand Your Needs: Take time to reflect on the areas in your life where you feel support might help. This can include your physical needs (e.g., mobility), emotional well-being (e.g., anxiety or stress), and social needs (e.g., difficulties with socialising or going out).

• Write Down Your Concerns: If verbal communication is difficult for you, writing down your issues and needs can help you express yourself clearly. You can use bullet points or lists to describe areas where you need help (e.g., help with personal care, assistance with daily routines, etc.).

• Have Evidence (If Possible): Gather any relevant documents that support your case, such as medical reports, letters from doctors or therapists, or records of your current living situation.

Contact Your Local Adult Social Care Team

You need to contact your local Adult Social Care team to request an assessment of need. There are several ways to do this:

• By Phone: You can find the contact number for your local council’s Adult Social Care team on their website. Call them and explain that you would like an assessment of need.

  • If you feel anxious about making the call, you can write down what you want to say before calling.

  • You can ask for a call back at a convenient time if you prefer not to speak immediately.

• Online: Many local councils have online forms for requesting an assessment. Visit your local council’s website and search for "Adult Social Care" or "Request an Assessment". Complete the form with details of your needs.

• By Post: If you prefer, you can write a letter to your local Adult Social Care team explaining that you would like an assessment of need. You can include information about your condition and any support you feel you need.

• In Person: If you’re comfortable, you can visit your local Adult Social Care office and ask for an assessment in person. You might want to take someone you trust with you for support.

Request an Assessment

When you contact Adult Social Care, you need to explain that you would like an assessment of need. Here’s what to include in your request:

• State Your Request: Clearly state that you would like an assessment of need, which will help to identify what support you may need in your daily life.

• Describe Your Needs: Explain the areas where you need help, such as:

  • Help with mobility or getting around

  • Assistance with personal care (e.g., dressing, washing)

  • Social support or difficulty with communication

  • Help with managing anxiety or emotional support

  • Any additional information that could help them understand your needs

• Provide Contact Details: Give them your name, address, and contact information so they can get in touch with you.

• Ask for an Advocate (If Needed): If you would feel more comfortable with someone helping you during the assessment, ask if they can provide an advocate. An advocate can be a person who helps you express your views and supports you during meetings.

Wait for the Assessment Appointment

Once you’ve requested the assessment, the Adult Social Care team will get in touch with you. They will:

• Arrange a Home Visit or Meeting: The assessment is usually carried out in your home or another place where you feel comfortable, such as a community center or even over the phone.

• Explain the Process: Before the assessment, they will explain what will happen during the meeting and give you time to prepare any questions or concerns.

• Give You Enough Time: They will ensure that you have enough time to discuss your needs fully. You can take notes or ask for someone to help you during the assessment if that would make you feel more comfortable.

Attend the Assessment

When the assessment takes place, the assessor will:

• Ask About Your Needs: They will ask you questions about your physical and emotional well-being, your daily routine, and how you are coping. If you struggle with verbal communication, you can ask for written questions or have someone support you during the process.

• Discuss Your Support Needs: You’ll be asked about how you manage your daily activities, what is difficult for you, and what kind of support you feel would help.

• Review Your Current Situation: The assessor will look at your current living situation, including any support you already receive, and identify areas where further help might be needed.

• Make Recommendations: Based on the assessment, they will suggest what services or support you may be entitled to. This could include things like personal care services, help at home, support for mental health, or help with social integration.

Receive the Outcome of the Assessment

After the assessment, the Adult Social Care team will:

• Provide You with a Plan: They will send you a care plan, which includes what services and support they recommend you receive. This could be a care package, equipment for daily living, or financial assistance for care.

• Eligibility: The care plan will also include whether or not you are eligible for services and support. If you are not eligible for certain services, they may suggest alternative options or give you advice on how to appeal the decision.

• Ask for a Review (If Needed): If you disagree with the assessment or feel the recommended support is not enough, you can ask for a review of the decision or appeal the outcome. They will explain how to do this during the assessment.

Access the Support

Once the care plan is agreed upon:

• Implement the Support: You will begin to receive the support outlined in your care plan, such as home care visits, help with managing daily tasks, or therapy services.

• Monitor Your Needs: Your needs may change over time, so you can request a reassessment if your circumstances change. For example, if your needs increase, you can request further help.

Types of Support Adult Social Care Can Offer

The support you receive will depend on your specific needs. Here are some examples of the types of support Adult Social Care can provide:

Personal Care Support:

• Assistance with activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and using the toilet if needed.

• Help with personal hygiene or household tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, and shopping.

Community Support:

• Help with social inclusion, such as connecting with local social groups, activities, or support networks.

• Support to attend appointments or manage your finances, including help with organising your schedule, reminders for important tasks, or managing budgets.

• Companionship or support with socialising to avoid isolation, helping you navigate social situations that may be difficult.

Mental Health Support:

• Access to therapy or counselling for mental health difficulties, such as anxiety or depression.

• Support from mental health professionals, including case workers or peer support workers, who can help you manage your condition and cope with stress.

• Access to crisis services if you are in danger of self-harm or are struggling emotionally.

Sensory and Communication Support:

• Reasonable adjustments to the environment, such as making spaces quieter or offering alternative communication methods (e.g., written instructions, visual aids).

• Support with sensory issues (e.g., managing sensory overload or providing a calm space).

Housing and Independent Living Support:

• Help finding appropriate housing or adjusting your current living arrangements to suit your needs.

• Support with daily living skills, such as learning how to use public transport, manage a budget, or cook healthy meals.

• Equipment or aids to help you live independently (e.g., mobility aids, alarms, assistive technology).

Care or Personal Assistants:

• A personal assistant or care worker who can help with daily tasks or provide personal care.

• You might also be eligible for support through direct payments, giving you control over who provides your care.

Request for an Adult Social Care Assessment Template

Scenario: Let’s say you are struggling with managing your daily routine and social interactions. You require support with tasks like cooking, organising appointments, and socialising.

You would contact Adult Social Care, request an assessment, and explain that you are seeking support to help you maintain your independence, improve your mental health, and navigate social situations.

(Template)

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, Postcode]

[Email Address]

[Phone Number]

[Date]

Adult Social Care Team

[Council Name]

[Council Address]

[City, Postcode]

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Request for Assessment of My Care Needs

I am writing to request an assessment of my care needs as I am experiencing significant challenges related to my health conditions. These conditions affect my ability to manage daily tasks, maintain my mental health, and engage socially, and I believe I would benefit from additional support.

Specifically, I am struggling with:

• Managing everyday tasks, such as cooking, shopping, and cleaning.

• Maintaining a routine and organising my appointments or medication.

• Socialising and maintaining relationships due to difficulties with communication and sensory overload.

• Managing my mental health, particularly symptoms of anxiety and depression.

I would like to request an assessment to determine what support services are available to help me maintain my independence and improve my quality of life. I am also requesting that any necessary reasonable adjustments are made during the assessment process, particularly to support my communication and sensory needs.

Please let me know what the next steps are and how I can proceed with the assessment process. I am happy to provide any further information or documentation as required.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Full Name]

[Your Date of Birth (if relevant)]

[Your Contact Information]

Final Thoughts

Requesting an assessment of need from Adult Social Care can help you access support and services to improve your daily life. By following these steps, you can ensure that your needs are clearly communicated and that you receive the right level of support. Don’t be afraid to ask for help during the process, whether it’s an advocate, someone to help you with paperwork, or assistance with communication. The goal is to make sure you have the support you need to live as independently as possible.