Request a care needs assessment
Find out what support you can get if you're finding it hard to look after yourself.
How we can help
A care needs assessment is a conversation between you and a social worker or an occupational therapist to talk about what you can and cannot do. It helps them to find out more about you and your care needs and what support could help you.
You can request a care needs assessment if you are finding it difficult to look after yourself and manage everyday tasks.
If you want to request support for someone else you’ll need their permission first, unless they don't have capacity to make or communicate that decision themselves.
Paying for social care
You will only be able to get care provided and paid for by us if you have all of the following:
- a physical or mental impairment or illness
- your illness affects two or more daily living tasks (like personal hygiene, keeping in contact with other people, moving around the house)
- your wellbeing is affected by what you can and cannot do
- you have less than £23,250 in savings or assets
We’ll ask you some eligibility questions first to work out if requesting a care needs assessment is right for you.
If you do not meet this criteria, we will not be able to arrange care for you. We can still provide advice and direct you to our partner organisations.
How the assessment works
The assessment might take place over the phone or in person with a social worker or occupational therapist.
They will ask questions to find out more about you.
You'll talk about:
- your day to day life
- the things you want to do
- your friends and family
- ways we can support you
They will use this information to put together a care and support plan that is tailored to you and your needs.
Adapting the process
You'll be fully included in the assessment process, and it can be adapted to meet your needs.
Some ways we can support you include:
- sending you a list of questions in an accessible format, to help you to prepare for the assessment
- arranging an independent advocate to help you
The assessment will be completed against the national eligibility criteria.
Once the assessment is complete, we’ll give you a report that explains what care you need. We call this a statement of needs and will explain how we came to our decision.
You'll usually receive this 4 to 6 weeks after the assessment.
If you’ve asked for copies to go to anyone else, we’ll do this too.
If you qualify
If you qualify for social care and support, we’ll agree a care and support plan with you.
You may have to pay for some or all of your care.
We'll ask you to complete a financial assessment to find out what you'll need to pay towards your care costs.
If you don't qualify
If we decide that you are not eligible to receive support, we will direct you to other local support services and funding that might help pay for them.
If you want more information or are unhappy with your eligibility decision you can ask the person who assessed you to look at the decision again. If you are still unhappy with the outcome you can speak to the team manager to ask for a further explanation.
If the issue cannot be resolved by the team manager you can access the Council’s complaints procedure by contacting:
complaints@sutton.gov.uk or write to us at: Sutton Council, Civic Offices, St Nicholas Way, Sutton, SM1 1EA.
Contact us
To request an assessment, contact the Adult Social Care team.
Phone
020 8770 5000
Write to us
Sutton Council
Civic Offices
St Nicholas Way
Sutton
SM1 1EA
Our offices and phone lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.