What is adult social care?
Social care can be very different from the health care you receive from the NHS. Although it can include medical help, social care offers more practical support to enable people to live independently.
These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or elsewhere in the community, rather than at a GP practice or hospital.
If you or a loved one needs social care, it's important to understand what types of care and support are available, where to find the correct information, and how services are paid for.
What's your experience?
Are you or a loved one not getting the social care support you need? Tell us! We use your feedback to help services improve care for everyone.
How do I receive help through social care?
The first step is to speak to your local authority's adult social services department and request an assessment.
If you need social care for yourself, this is called a 'care assessment', a 'customer assessment' or a 'needs assessment'.
If you provide unpaid care for someone else, your assessment is called a 'carers assessment'. Carers UK has developed some key tips on requesting an assessment for the first time.
Alternatively, you may be offered a care assessment at home after being discharged from the hospital, called a 'discharge to assess' or a 'home first' approach.
The NHS can also assess people with very complex and long-term health needs for social care support, known as 'NHS Continuing Healthcare' or 'NHS CHC', and involves a separate assessment process from the needs assessments carried out by local authorities.
Who can access adult social care support?
If you're an older person, living with a disability, have a long-term condition, or recovering from hospital, you may require social care services. All adults over 18 are entitled to an evaluation to determine whether they could qualify for help or support. You can have a free assessment to determine your eligibility for support.
If you have family or friends caring for you, you may not have to pay for services. Additionally, carers can also receive support for their wellbeing and training. Once you qualify for aid, your council can help you create a personalised plan that meets your specific needs.
Watch James' Social Care Story
How do I pay for social care?
A 'financial assessment' or 'means test' will determine whether you qualify for free social care or whether you need to contribute towards the cost of your care plan.
The criteria used in means tests are quite complicated and involve the local authority looking at your 'financial assets'.
Find out what is considered an asset and what the current means test thresholds are.
If you are eligible for any financial support, your local authority will provide you with a 'personal budget' which you can spend on local services.
Some people can also qualify for free social care through NHS continuing healthcare. However, if your assessment finds you are not eligible, you might be eligible instead for 'NHS-funded nursing care', where the NHS will contribute to the cost of your nursing care, for example, in a care home.
The organisation Beacon provides free independent advice on NHS continuing healthcare.
Unpaid carers do not have to contribute towards the support services they access following an assessment.
Social care reform
In 2021 the Government published its ten-year vision for adult social care, which included a plan to introduce a new £86,000 cap on care costs, meaning that from October 2025, nobody should spend more than £86,000 on personal care over their lifetime. In the section below, we have provided more information on what ‘personal care’ is.
Find out more about the 10-year vision for adult social care.
What type of support is available through social care?
Your local authority is responsible for managing social care services in your area. Councils may provide some services themselves, or they may buy services from care providers to meet the needs of their residents.
Local services can include:
- Support to enable people to develop the skills needed to live independently. Sometimes these services are referred to as 'reablement services' or 'short-term support'. They can involve help with doing certain activities again after illness or injury.
- Support with getting up in the morning, washing, dressing, and using the toilet. These services are referred to as 'personal care'.
- Help with household tasks, such as cleaning, cooking and eating meals or shopping.
- Support with organising physical, leisure or social activities. These services are called 'day care services' or 'day care opportunities'. They involve meals, refreshments, help with health issues or just an opportunity to meet and speak to others.
- 'Respite care', where you might have your care needs met by different carers or in a different location for a few hours, an overnight stay, or even longer. Respite care services can provide an opportunity for carers to take a break from caring.
- Support finding housing for people affected by homelessness who have care needs following a needs assessment.
Where can I find more information about social care?
All local authorities must have information and advice services relating to care and support so you can make well-informed choices and plans for your social care needs. Find out more information on your local authority's website.
Information and advice services will provide more information on:
- Assessments and eligibility
- Personal budgets
- Choosing the right care option
- Safeguarding
- Independent advocacy
Need more support?
You can also find more advice on social care here:
