How a care needs assessment works

What a local authority care needs assessment is, how to request one, what it covers, and what happens next. It is free and the first step to arranging care.

Published 2026-06-24 · A general guide, not legal, medical or financial advice.

A care needs assessment is a free assessment by the local council of what help a person needs to live safely and well. It is the usual first step to arranging care, and anyone who appears to need support is entitled to one, regardless of their income or whether they are likely to pay for their own care. Asking for one early, rather than waiting for a crisis, gives you far more time and choice.

How to request one

• Contact the adult social care team at the person's local council and ask for a needs assessment. You can ask on someone's behalf with their agreement.
• If someone is in hospital, ask about assessment and a care plan before discharge so that support is in place when they leave, rather than scrambling afterwards.
• If the person would struggle to take part and has no one to speak for them, the council must arrange an independent advocate.

What the assessment covers

It looks at everyday tasks such as washing, dressing, eating, moving around and managing medication, as well as safety at home, social contact, and emotional wellbeing. It also considers what support is already in place, including from family carers. The person should be fully involved throughout, and can have a relative, friend or advocate with them. Be honest about the hardest days rather than the best ones, as it is the difficult days the support needs to cover.

What happens next

If the person is assessed as having eligible needs, the council produces a care and support plan setting out how those needs will be met, and a personal budget showing what it will cost. A separate financial assessment then decides who pays. Even someone who will clearly fund their own care benefits from a needs assessment: it clarifies the level and type of care to look for, and the council still has a duty to provide information and advice. If you disagree with the outcome, you can ask for a review.

Carers count too

An unpaid carer is entitled to a separate carer's assessment of their own needs, which can lead to practical support such as respite, equipment, or help with costs. Carers often overlook this, but it is well worth requesting, because supporting the carer is one of the best ways to keep an arrangement at home sustainable.

Where to get help

Age UK and Citizens Advice publish free, detailed guidance on assessments, on eligibility, and on what to do if you disagree with the result. Once you know the level of care needed, CareRadar helps you find and compare suitable services nearby.