A care needs assessment aims to establish someone’s need for social care (help with every day tasks, such as washing and dressing) and how the council may be able to help. The council will ask questions about well-being and managing daily life to work out what support is needed. For more information, please visit our dedicated Age Space page: Complete Guide to Care Needs Assessment.
In some cases, the council will assist in paying for social care, based on financial circumstances. After a care needs assessment, you can take a financial assessment to establish the extent to which the council can help.
If you look after someone in Berkshire, you should also consider taking a carer’s assessment. This aims to work out the impact your caring duties have on your life and what social care support you may be eligible for. Carers can be provided with support through the council or the voluntary sector.
How To Apply For a Care Needs Assessment With Your Local Authority in Berkshire
Bracknell Forest Borough Council
If your elderly relative lives in Bracknell Forest, care needs assessments can be requested by phone or by email. Relatives are welcome to help during the assessment to ensure all information is provided.
- Telephone: 01344 351500
- Email: [email protected]
Reading Borough Council
In Reading, the process begins by completion of the online Care and Assessment Form. It is recommended that you sign up for an account with Reading Council before filling in this form. Creating an account saves time with auto-completion of contact information when completing forms and means data is securely saved.
Slough Borough Council
A care needs assessment in Slough can be arranged through the council’s online enquiry form or by telephoning the number below.
- Enquiry Form
- Telephone: 01753 475111
West Berkshire District Council
A care needs assessment in West Berkshire can be arranged through the council’s online enquiry form or by telephoning the number below.
- Online Enquiry Form
- Telephone: 01635 503050
Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough Council
Care support services in Windsor and Maidenhead council are provided in partnership with Optalis. To arrange a care needs assessment, get in touch using their online enquiry form or other contact details below.
- Online Enquiry Form
- Telephone: 01628 683744
- Email: [email protected]
Wokingham District Council
In Wokingham, the council offer an initial Self Assessment to see if your relative may be eligible for support. If so, then the next steps are given at the end of the assessment. You can also call the number below for more information and to arrange a full care needs assessment.
- Online Enquiry Form
- Telephone: 0300 365 1234
How To Apply For a Financial Assessment With Your Local Authority in Berkshire
After completion of a care needs assessment, you’ll be offered to take a financial assessment to work out if the council can help pay for your care.
How much you pay depends on your personal financial circumstances only. Some people pay the standard charge for the service they receive, whilst others pay a part of the cost, and some make no financial contribution at all.
The assessment takes into account lots of financial factors, but a general rule is that those who own over £23,250 in savings or capital will not be eligible for funding (last updated in March 2023).
Please note, you can help your elderly relative complete the financial assessment but will need to have accurate details of their savings and investments, income, outgoings (such as mortgage and tax) and disability related costs.
What To Do If You're Not Happy With the Outcome of the Assessment
If you disagree with the result of an assessment, or how it was carried out, you have a right to complain. Please find the details of each council’s complaint process below:
Bracknell Forest Borough Council
- Telephone: 01344 351736
- Email: [email protected]
Reading Borough Council
- Telephone: 0118 937 2905
- Email: [email protected]
Slough Borough Council
West Berkshire District Council
- Telephone: 01635 503391
- Email: [email protected]
Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough Council
- Telephone: 01628 683857
Wokingham District Council
- Telephone: 0118 974 6863
