Understanding the Care Assessment Process: Complete Guide to Social Care Assessment

Complete guide to the care assessment process under the Care Act 2014. Learn about your rights, eligibility criteria, financial assessment, and what to expect. Living Plus Care Services.

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  • 1.8m+

    Assessments completed annually in England

  • 100%

    Right to free assessment under Care Act

  • 0

    Financial test to request assessment

  • 1.1m+

    People receiving adult social care support

What Is a Care Needs Assessment?

A nurse meeting a man and a woman in a lounge

A care needs assessment is a detailed evaluation of your ability to carry out daily activities safely and independently. It is the foundation of adult social care support in England and determines whether you have eligible care needs and what support you may receive.

The assessment covers all aspects of daily living: personal care such as washing and dressing, nutrition and meal preparation, mobility and managing falls risk, household management like cleaning and managing finances, emotional wellbeing and social contact, and safety at home. It is not a medical examination or a test you can pass or fail. Instead, it is a conversation between you and a trained assessor about what you find difficult and how support could help you maintain independence.

Why the Assessment Matters

The assessment is crucial because it determines your eligibility for council-funded support. It puts your needs at the centre of decision-making and ensures you receive a person-centred response tailored to what matters most to you. It also ensures that any support offered reflects your preferences, values, and what you want to achieve in your daily life.

Who Can Request an Assessment?

You can request a care needs assessment if:

  • You appear to have care needs (to you or someone else)
  • You live in the local authority area (permanent residence)
  • You are over 18 years old (or sometimes for disabled children approaching adulthood)

Additionally, family members, carers, health professionals, or social workers can request an assessment on your behalf if they believe you may have care needs. You do not need to be referred by a GP or hospital; you can self-refer directly to your local authority.

Who Is Eligible for a Care Assessment?

Everyone is entitled to request and receive a care assessment under the Care Act 2014. There is no means test to access the assessment itself; it is free regardless of your financial situation.

  • No Financial Test Needed

    This is a common misunderstanding. You do not need to be poor or have minimal savings to request an assessment. The council will not assess your finances until after they have completed your care needs assessment and determined that you have eligible care needs.

  • No Age Limit

    Whilst most people receiving care are older adults, there is no age limit for requesting an assessment. Younger disabled people, people with mental health conditions, people with learning disabilities, and people recovering from illness or injury can all request assessments.

  • Carers Can Get Assessments Too

    Under the Care Act 2014, family carers, friends, or anyone providing unpaid care can request a separate carer's assessment. This assessment evaluates the carer's own wellbeing, whether they can continue to care, and what support they may need to sustain their caring role.

How Much Does Home Care Cost in the UK?

The cost of home care in the UK varies significantly depending on where you live, the type of care you need, and the provider you choose. Understanding these costs is essential for budgeting and exploring funding options.

Types of CareCost RangeWhat Is Included
Hourly Visiting Care£23 to £40/hourPersonal care, medication support, meal prep, companionship
Live-in Care£1,100 to £2,000/week24-hour support, accommodation, meals, all personal care needs
Overnight Sleeping£100 to £180/nightCarer sleeps in home, available if needed during night
Overnight Waking£160 to £260/nightCarer awake throughout night, active support and monitoring

National Average Hourly Rates

The national average cost of hourly visiting home care in 2025/26 is approximately £32 per hour. This reflects the Homecare Association's minimum recommended rate of £32.14 per hour. However, rates vary considerably across the UK

  • London and South East: £35 to £45+ per hour (highest cost areas)
  • Major cities (Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds): £28 to £35 per hour
  • Regional towns and villages: £23 to £30 per hour
  • Rural areas: £24 to £32 per hour (travel time may increase costs)

Council-Funded Care Rates

Local authorities pay care providers fixed hourly rates for council-commissioned care. These rates are typically below the true cost of care and average £24.10 per hour across England. This means that whilst councils fund some care, many providers struggle to deliver quality care at these rates. If you receive council-funded care, your care provider may ask you to top up the difference to receive better staffing ratios or more experienced carers.

How to Request a Care Assessment

Requesting an assessment is straightforward. You have several options depending on your situation.

Direct Contact with Your Local Authority

The simplest route is to contact your local council's Adult Social Services team directly and ask for a care needs assessment. Tell them you would like to be assessed under the Care Act 2014.

AreaContact DetailsService Type
HertfordshireHertfordshire County Council Adult Services: 01992 556 600 or online.hertfordshire.gov.ukAssessment, financial advice, care planning
CambridgeshireCambridgeshire County Council Adult Services: 01223 595 800 or www.cambridgeshire.gov.ukAssessment, financial advice, care planning

  • Referral Through Your GP

    Your GP can refer you for a care assessment. This is often the route if you have recently been unwell or discharged from hospital. Your GP knows your medical history and can provide relevant information to the council to support your assessment.

  • Hospital Discharge

    If you are in hospital, the discharge team will assess whether you need ongoing care support before you leave. They can arrange an urgent care assessment before your discharge or organise interim support whilst your fuller assessment takes place.

  • Self-Referral

    You can also contact your local council directly and self-refer without needing a referral from anyone else. You can do this by telephone, in person, by email, or through an online form on your council's website.

What Happens During the Assessment

Understanding the assessment process helps you prepare and feel more confident when it takes place.

Who Conducts the Assessment

Assessments are carried out by trained social workers or occupational therapists employed by the local authority. They are qualified professionals with experience in adult social care and trained to conduct assessments in a person-centred, respectful way.

Where the Assessment Takes Place

Most assessments happen in your home. This is important because the assessor can see your living environment, understand any barriers or hazards, and observe how you manage daily tasks. Some councils offer assessments over the telephone or by video call, particularly for simple cases or if you prefer. You can discuss where you would feel most comfortable.

What the Assessor Looks At

The assessment evaluates your needs across several key areas:

  • Personal care: washing, bathing, dressing, toileting, managing continence
  • Nutrition: preparing and eating meals, shopping for food
  • Mobility: moving around your home, getting upstairs, risk of falls, using stairs or outdoor areas
  • Household management: cleaning, laundry, managing your home, paying bills
  • Social wellbeing: staying connected to your community, social activities, maintaining relationships
  • Mental health and emotional wellbeing: managing anxiety, depression, stress
  • Safety at home: preventing accidents, managing risks, protecting yourself from harm or abuse
  • Any support currently in place: existing care, family help, equipment, adaptations

How Long Does It Take?

A care needs assessment typically takes 45 minutes to two hours, depending on the complexity of your needs. If you have complex health or social care needs, additional assessments may be needed, such as a mental capacity assessment or specialist health assessment.

Can Others Be Present?

Yes. You can have a family member, friend, carer, or advocate present during your assessment. Many people find it helpful to have someone there to help them communicate their needs, take notes, or ask questions. You can tell the council in advance if you would like someone present.

The National Eligibility Criteria

Understanding the assessment process helps you prepare and feel more confident when it takes place.

The Three Conditions

To be eligible for council-funded support, all three of the following conditions must apply:

ConditionWhat It Means
1. Outcome TestYou must have needs (identified in the assessment) that are preventing you from achieving a relevant outcome.
2. Importance TestThose unmet needs must be important to your daily life; they are not minor inconveniences but significantly impact your wellbeing, independence, or safety.
3. Safe Level TestWithout care or support, you cannot maintain a safe level of wellbeing. You are at significant risk of harm, neglect, or losing independence.

The Eligible Needs List

Relevant outcomes that councils must consider include:

  • Personal dignity: maintaining your dignity and managing personal hygiene
  • Physical safety: managing health and preventing accidents or harm
  • Emotional wellbeing: managing stress, anxiety, or emotional distress
  • Domestic routines: managing household activities and maintaining a clean home
  • Nutrition: maintaining adequate nutrition and drinking
  • Social participation: maintaining relationships and avoiding isolation
  • Suitability of living accommodation: your home is safe and suitable for your needs
  • Involvement in work or voluntary activities: participating in meaningful activities
  • Managing finances: managing bills and avoiding financial harm

If your unmet needs fall into any of these categories and meet the importance and safety tests, you are eligible.

After the Assessment: Understanding Your Care Plan

Once the assessment is complete, the council will tell you the outcome and whether you have eligible needs.

If You Have Eligible Needs

The council will develop a care plan together with you. This outlines the support you need, how it will be delivered, who will provide it, and how much you will pay. Your care plan is person-centred, reflecting your preferences, goals, and the outcomes you want to achieve.

If You Are Not Eligible

If your needs do not meet the eligibility criteria, the council will still provide you with information about what you can do to maintain your wellbeing and independence, signposting to universal services, preventative services, or low-cost support in your community. You remain entitled to a review of your assessment if your circumstances change.

Personal Budget

The council will calculate a personal budget, which is the amount they believe is necessary to meet your eligible needs. This is based on a resource allocation system. You then have choices about how this money is used:

  • Traditional council-arranged services: The council arranges and pays providers directly
  • Direct payments: the council gives you the money to arrange and pay for your own care
  • Mixed arrangements: a combination of council arrangement and direct payments

You can also top up the personal budget with your own money if you want more or better quality care than the council is funding.

The Financial Assessment

If you have eligible care needs, the council will carry out a separate financial assessment to determine how much you should contribute towards your care costs.

How the Means Test Works

The financial assessment considers your income and capital (savings and assets). The thresholds in England for 2025/26 are:

  • Full Council Funding

    Below GBP 14,250

    Your savings are disregarded. The council pays for your eligible care in full.

  • Partial Funding

    GBP 14,250 to GBP 23,250

    You pay £1/week for every £250 above £14,250. Council covers the rest.

  • Self-Funding

    Above GBP 23,250

    You are expected to pay the full cost of your care privately until your savings fall below the threshold.

What Counts as Capital

Capital includes savings, investments, property (with exceptions), and other assets. However, certain things are disregarded:

  • Your home: if you live in it, the value is disregarded (applies to home care only)
  • Personal possessions: items of sentimental value, jewellery, furniture
  • A disregarded property: if a spouse or relative still lives in a property you own, its value is disregarded
  • Lump sums from personal injury claims: these may be disregarded in full or partially

What Counts as Income

Income includes pensions, earnings, benefits, rental income, and interest on savings. However, the council will disregard certain income:

  • Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment
  • Attendance Allowance (in some cases)
  • War pensions
  • Income from a Disabled Facilities Grant

What If You Disagree with the Assessment?

If you are unhappy with the outcome of your assessment or the support offered, you have several options.

  • Ask for a Review

    You can ask the council to review the assessment, particularly if your circumstances have changed. Reviews are free and the council must respond within a reasonable timeframe. You can request a review at any time, though councils typically review assessments annually or when circumstances change significantly.

  • Request a Reassessment

    If you believe the assessment did not accurately reflect your needs, you can request a reassessment. Be prepared to explain what was missed or what has changed.

  • Complaints Procedure

    If you are unhappy with how the assessment was conducted or the service you received, you can make a formal complaint to the council. This must be done within a year of the incident causing a complaint. The council should respond to your complaint within 20 working days.

  • Advocacy Support

    Many councils provide free advocacy services to help people navigate complaints and appeals. An advocate can represent you and help you challenge decisions.

Carer's Assessment

If you have a family member, friend, or partner who provides unpaid care for you, they have the right to a separate carer's assessment.

What Is a Carer's Assessment?

A carer's assessment is an evaluation of the carer's own wellbeing, the impact of providing care, and what support they may need to sustain their caring role. It recognises that carers have needs too and ensures their wellbeing is considered.

What It Covers

The carer's assessment looks at:

  • The carer's physical and mental health and whether caring is affecting their wellbeing
  • Whether the carer can continue to provide care at current or future levels
  • Medical information: current medications, health conditions, GP contact details, relevant hospital clinicians
  • The carer's own social life, work, or education
  • Whether the carer has adequate breaks and respite from caring
  • Support available to the carer (equipment, training, counselling, respite care)

How It Differs from the Care Needs Assessment

The carer's assessment is focused on the carer, not the person being cared for. It recognises caring as valuable work and ensures that carer support is part of the overall care planning process. If the carer has eligible needs, they may receive support from the council.

How Living Plus Care Services Can Help

The council assessment determines what support you are entitled to receive from the local authority. However, many people choose to complement this with private care from an independent provider like Living Plus Care Services.

Private Assessment Option

Living Plus Care Services offers free, comprehensive home assessments independent of the council process. Our assessment helps you understand your care needs in detail, identify the best type of care, plan how to bridge any gaps between council-funded care and your full needs, and make informed decisions about your care arrangements.

Complementing Council Care

Many families use a combination of council-funded care and privately arranged care. For example, the council may fund the core personal care you need, whilst you privately arrange additional support such as companionship, specialist dementia care, or services the council does not provide in your area.

Our Local Branches

We serve two main areas, each with experienced teams who understand local authority services and can help coordinate your care.

Hatfield, HertfordshirePeterborough, Cambridgeshire
Service AreaHatfield, Welwyn Garden City, St Albans, Potters Bar, Brookmans Park, and surrounding villages in HertfordshireService AreaPeterborough and surrounding areas of Cambridgeshire, including local villages and towns
CQC RatingGoodCQC RatingAvailable on request
Contact01707 707599Contact01733 911656

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Care Assessment

Find answers to common questions about care assessments. If you can't find what you're looking for, please call us on 0333 577 0877.

Chat with our team.
info@livingpluscare.co.uk
+44 333 577 0877

Need Help Understanding Your Care Assessment?

Living Plus Care Services offers free home assessments and can explain your options in detail. We are here to support you through the process and help you access the care you need.

Get in Touch: www.livingpluscare.co.uk/contact

Hatfield: 01707 707599Peterborough: 01733 911656