How to Apply For A Needs Assessment by Social Services

How to Apply For A Needs Assessment by Social Services

Taking care of yourself or a loved one when you are ill or have a medical condition can be challenging especially if you live alone.  If you have care and support need and find it difficult to look after yourself, your local authority may be able to advise you and provide you with some support and help. The best way to get help from your local authority is to ask for a care and support needs assessment. You can do this by contacting the local authority adult social services department. You may also be able to get help with any incontinence needs by being referred to a continence nurse; who assess support for adults who have bladder or bowel problems; for things such as incontinence pads and pants. When you get assessed by the local authority, as a minimum you may be given information and signposting to other services, and ways that you might find funding to pay for them. However, if your needs meet the national eligibility criteria, your local authority will have to meet these needs. The local authority will involve you throughout the assessment to identify what your needs are and how these impact on your wellbeing. They will also discuss with you how you wish to live your life and whether there are certain aims you would like to achieve but you are unable to do so because of your care and support needs. The assessment will start to consider how your care needs might be met. This could include identifying how preventative services like simple aids (such as devices to open jars and tins more easily), adaptations to your home (such as handrails) or information about support available in the community might meet your need.  It will also identify if you have a higher level of need where you may need help in your own home or care in a care home. The assessment should be carried out in a way that ensures your involvement and that takes the right amount of time to capture all of your needs. Please see the NHS website for an in depth guide on eligibility and more on your local authority’s duty. When you are ready to make the application you can do so through the Government website. In the meantime if you require any incontinence products do take a look at our www.incontinenceuk.co.uk website or call our helpline on 0800 068 3625 for our full range of products to help with either urinary or faecal incontinence. Best Wishes Incontinence UK Team www.incontinenceuk.co.uk