What is adult social care? Updated information
Social care can be very different from the health care you receive from the NHS. Although it can include medical help, social care offers more practical support to enable people to live independently. These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or elsewhere in the community, rather than at a GP practice or hospital.
If you or someone you live needs social care, it's important to understand what types of care and support are available, where to find the correct information, and how to fund services.
How do I receive help through social care?
The first step is to speak to your local authority's adult social services department and request an assessment.
If you need social care for yourself, this is called a 'care assessment', a 'customer assessment' or a 'needs assessment'.
If you provide unpaid care for someone else, your assessment is called a 'carers assessment'. Carers UK has developed some key tips on requesting an assessment for the first time.
Alternatively, you may be offered a care assessment at home after being discharged from the hospital, called a 'discharge to assess' or a 'home first' approach.
The NHS can also assess people with very complex and long-term health needs for social care support, known as 'NHS Continuing Healthcare' or 'NHS CHC', and involves a separate assessment process from the needs assessments carried out by local authorities.
Who can access adult social care support?
If you're an older person, living with a disability, have a long-term condition, or recovering from hospital, you may require social care services. All adults over 18 are entitled to an evaluation to determine whether they could qualify for help or support. You can have a free assessment to determine your eligibility for support.
If you have family or friends caring for you, you may not have to pay for services. Additionally, carers can also receive support for their wellbeing and training. Once you qualify for aid, your council can help you create a personalised plan that meets your specific needs.
How do I pay for social care?
A 'financial assessment' or 'means test' will determine whether you qualify for free social care or need to contribute towards the cost of your care.
The criteria used in means tests are complicated and involve the local authority looking at your 'financial assets'.
If you are eligible for any financial support, your local authority will provide you with a 'personal budget' which you can spend on local services.
Some people can also qualify for free social care through NHS continuing healthcare. However, if your assessment finds you are not eligible, you might be eligible instead for 'NHS-funded nursing care', where the NHS will contribute to the cost of your nursing care, for example, in a care home.
The organisation Beacon provides free independent advice on NHS continuing healthcare.
Unpaid carers do not have to contribute towards the support services they access following an assessment.
What type of support is available through social care?
Your local authority is responsible for managing social care services in your area. Councils may provide some services themselves, or they may buy services from care providers to meet the needs of their residents.
Local services can include:
- Support to enable people to develop the skills needed to live independently. Sometimes these services are referred to as 'reablement services' or 'short-term support'. They can involve help with doing certain activities again after illness or injury.
- Support with getting up in the morning, washing, dressing, and using the toilet. These services are referred to as 'personal care'.
- Help with household tasks, such as cleaning, cooking and eating meals or shopping.
- Support with organising physical, leisure or social activities. These services are called 'day care services' or 'day care opportunities'. They involve meals, refreshments, help with health issues or just an opportunity to meet and speak to others.
- 'Respite care', where you might have your care needs met by different carers or in a different location for a few hours, an overnight stay, or even longer. Respite care services can provide an opportunity for carers to take a break from caring.
- Support finding housing for people affected by homelessness who have care needs following a needs assessment.
The local council can offer social care services in different settings too:
- At home – often called 'domiciliary care' or 'home care', this is where your care plan needs, including personal care and short-term care, are provided in your own home. Sometimes you might need adaptations made in your home to help with living there independently, such as installing a stairlift, fitting a shower rail or adding a ramp to your property.
- In a care home or nursing home – often called 'residential care', this is where your care plan needs, including personal care, reablement and any health care needs, are provided in the care home where you live.
- In a specialist home – instead of a home care team coming to your house to provide support, you might live in a home where care and support are offered on-site. These homes include 'sheltered housing', 'supported living', 'assisted living', 'shared lives schemes' and 'extra care housing'.
- In a daycare setting – the local council can provide daycare opportunities in a range of locations in the community, including daycare centres, sports centres, cafes, restaurants, or outdoor spaces.
Where can I find more information about social care?
All local authorities must have information and advice services relating to care and support so you can make well-informed choices and plans for your social care needs. Find out more information on your local authority's website.
Information and advice services will provide more information on:
- Assessments and eligibility
- Personal budgets
- Choosing the right care option
- Safeguarding
- Independent advocacy
Speak to your local Healthwatch
Wherever you live in England, you'll have a local Healthwatch nearby. We're here to listen to the issues that really matter to local communities and hear about your experiences of using health and social care services. Local Healthwatch also provide advice and information about health and social services and support.
You can also find more advice on social care here:
