Ladies talking

Assessing my needs

This involves us working with you to find out what your needs are, and whether we are able to help. We will always give you an assessment if you ask for one, even if you do not qualify for help, (for example if you can afford to pay for your own services.)

Who can Sutton help?

When you get in touch we first make sure that you are someone that we are allowed to help.

Sutton can help you if you live in the borough of Sutton or are homeless in the borough of Sutton. We can also help you if you are living in a different borough but have been placed there by Sutton Adult Social Care.

If you were placed in another borough by the Housing Department you should contact the council in the area where you have been placed. If you have been placed in Sutton by the Social Services of another council you should contact that council instead.

What is an assessment?

Before you can receive social services you will need to have an assessment. During an assessment we collect information and work out what help and support you need, and those your carer needs. It gives you the chance to explain any problems you might be having and will help you find solutions to make things easier in your day-to-day life.

We are required by law to carry out an assessment for any adult who we think may need social care services. The type of assessment we carry out will depend on what your needs are. If your needs are straightforward then your assessment will be simple. If your needs are more complicated then your assessment will be more detailed. Everyone is entitled to an assessment of their needs, although having an assessment does not mean that we will always go on to provide you with a service.

Arranging your own services

If you do qualify for services, it is your decision whether you agree with them and want to take them – our job is to make sure that you understand any risks that this may involve, and to try and ensure that they are manageable. We can guide you towards other services available, for example there are many voluntary organisations that provide various types of care.

If you are eligible you may wish to use direct payments. This means that Social Services pay for your care but you arrange it, allowing you to choose wich services you recieve, as well as when and where you recieve them. 

How are my needs assessed?

Find out who is involved in the assessment process, and how they work with you to identify your needs.

What happens after an assessment?

Find out how care is organised and what to do if you are unhappy with the result of your assessment of feel that your needs have changed.

Why do we share information about you?

We want to provide you the right kind of services to meet your needs. To do this you might need a number of different organisations to help you, and they will need your information.