A care needs assessment is a conversation between someone needing care, their carers (you) and a member of the social care team from the council. It will assess individual social care needs – what they have currently, what they might need in the future and what the council can help with. In this guide, Age Space explains how to get a care needs assessment in Buckinghamshire.
There are two other types of needs assessments that can be done by the local council: financial assessment and carers assessment. Follow the links to find out more and check out our guide to getting a carers assessment in Buckinghamshire.
How to apply for a Care Needs Assessment with your local authority in Buckinghamshire
Applying for a care needs assessment is slightly different depending on whether you live in Milton Keynes or the rest of Buckinghamshire. Before a formal, physical meeting can be set up, both local authorities (Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire) require a preliminary check to make sure that the elderly person in question is eligible for a full care needs assessment.
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes Council asks that you get in contact with their Adult Social Care ACCESS Team in order arrange an assessment. They will ask you for details regarding your physical health and wellbeing, your relationships with friends and family, you community involvement and the support you think you require, among other things to accurately assess your needs.
- Telephone: 01908 253772 (Operated Mon-Fri: 8:30am-5:15pm)
- Email: [email protected]
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire Council asks that you contact the Adult Social Care First Response Team directly if you feel like you older relative might benefit from a care needs assessment. They will ask you for details regarding your physical health and wellbeing, your relationships with friends and family, you community involvement and the support you think you require, among other things to accurately assess your needs and eligibility. You can read more about eligibility in their Assessment and Eligibility Policy.
- Telephone: 01296 383204
- Email: [email protected]
The Process
A trained assessor will meet your elderly relative and anyone else who is involved in their care and might have useful insight into their continuing care needs – such as a family doctor, physiotherapist and family carers. This will usually take place at the elderly person’s home.
This conversation will give the council a better idea of:
- What needs does the older person have?
- What needs are not currently being addressed?
- How could these needs be addressed?
- Should the council contribute to having the needs addressed?
What results is known as a care plan. If it is discovered that there are things the council could supply to help the person that was assessed, then a financial assessment will follow. This is a means tested assessment, that will determine how much, if anything, the council will pay towards their care. The social worker will explain to you what happens next with a financial assessment in your area.
Carers Assessment
It is not just the person being cared for that can get a needs assessment. Carers can be offered and signposted towards support as a result of a carers assessment. Find out more on carers needs assessments in Buckinghamshire.
