How to request a care assessment

If you need help to arrange care and support, we can arrange a free care assessment with you. This is how we understand your support needs.  

You (or someone on your behalf) can also fill out a self-referral form to give us some of the information we need about you and what you need help with. 

The first stage is that a trained member of staff will contact you to discuss your situation.  The practitioner will ask you various questions to understand your situation. 

They might ask about things such as:  

• your strengths  
• things that are important to you
• your cultural needs
• your social situation
• any health conditions 
• things you can do for yourself
• if you have caring responsibilities for any children
• the support you get from family and friends 
• what care you might need in the future
• and any areas you need more help with

They will try to identify what matters to you most and what you want to achieve.  

For more information on this process, please see our guidance video. 

The practitioner will work with you to identify which outcomes, if any, you are unable to achieve without support. They will also want to understand the impact this has on your wellbeing.  

If you are

• unable to achieve two or more of the outcomes listed below without support and;
• this is having a significant impact on your wellbeing

the local authority has a duty to work with you to agree a plan to make sure these outcomes are achieved.  

At this stage we will also determine if you are eligible for funded care and support. More information about this can be found on our dedicated webpage.

Following your care assessment, you will receive

• a copy of your assessment and;
• a letter clearly explaining whether or not you are eligible for care and support

If you are eligible

If you are eligible for help, we will follow these steps:

1. we will talk to you about how you want to receive that help - this will be developed into a care and support plan
2. you will be offered a financial assessment to identify how much you need to pay towards the cost of your care

Depending on the outcome of your care and support plan, we may then:

• arrange a care provider on your behalf, or;
• provide you with a direct payment to arrange your own care

If someone already helps to look after you (for example your partner or a family member), we will offer them a free carer's assessment to consider ways to support them as a carer.     

If you are not eligible

If it is decided you do not have eligible care and support needs, we will provide you with information, advice and guidance to help you achieve your goals.

Our aim is to prevent, reduce and delay the onset of care needs.

We may suggest:

• equipment, adaptions, and technology
• short-term support options to help you live independently
• alternative community resources

Many of those resources are listed on the Adults section of the North Somerset Online Directory.  

Speak to someone

If you would like to speak to someone for information and advice, or to find out if you are eligible, you can contact Care Connect.

You can contact us via telephone, email, or post. 

Make a self referral

If you would like to go ahead and request a care assessment for yourself, or for someone that you care for, you can fill out our care and support assessment form.