A care needs assessment is a way for Suffolk County Council (SCC) to work out how much help your elderly relative may need and point them towards the relevant services for this care.
A financial assessment can also be carried out separately, to establish whether or not your parents will have to pay for the care they receive from SCC.
Caring for someone can be tough, especially if they require a lot of support. Although you may not define yourself as a carer, Suffolk County Council may still able to offer you support, advice and information. You can find out more about a Carer’s Assessment and a list of carer support services that Age Space has compiled, on our dedicated Carer Support in Suffolk page.
How to apply for a Care Needs Assessment with your Local Authority in Suffolk
You will need to apply for a Care Needs Assessment through Suffolk County Council. It is possible to apply directly for the one-to-one needs assessment through the contact information detailed below, however, it is recommended that you first complete a quick 10 minute online self-assessment.
- Telephone: 0800 917 1109
- Online Live Chat
The self-assessment will give an idea of:
- The care or support needs your relative has.
- Equipment and services that could help them to stay at home for longer.
- Community groups, clubs, and activities to help maintain their health and independence.
- Whether they might be eligible for financial support from the council for any care costs.
When you finish, it will advise you as to whether or not they would benefit from a full assessment of their care needs. If this is the case, a trained official from the council, or from Suffolk Family Carers (as they carry out care assessments on behalf of the council), will come round to talk more in depth about your loved one’s personal care needs.
If you already get some support from your doctor or a neighbour, then you might like them to also be included in the conversation. The assessment will consider:
- Strengths, needs and what outcomes your parent wants to achieve.
- What help and support is in place or they could have from the people in the community around you.
- The things they may need some support with to keep well and independent.
- Physical needs, e.g. any help they need to wash, dress, or get in and out of bed.
At the same time it’s possible to get a financial assessment to see how much the council will put towards the care. Unlike NHS services, support and care from the Local Authority is generally means tested.
Who pays? - A financial assessment
Suffolk County Council offers a full guide on paying for social care, as well as providing a Care Cost Calculator for you to see whether your loved one might be eligible for funding.
If you have any further questions about the financial assessment, you can get in contact using the contact details below.
- Telephone: 0800 917 1109
- Online Live Chat
A Carer's Assessment
Suffolk County Council can also assess the carer’s needs. It’s an opportunity to talk to someone about how you feel with the responsibilities that come with being an unpaid carer. The council may be able to put you in touch with services that can support you in your role as a carer.
See the dedicated page on Suffolk Council’s website, here.
For more information on carer assessments and the support available to you in Suffolk, visit Age Space’s dedicated page on Suffolk Carer Support.
