Arranging care and support

Adult social care assessment

Many people can stay safe, well and independent without care and support from us. Before you contact us, think about other types of help. This may include equipment and technology or help from local groups. You can also arrange your own care. Visit our Arranging your own support page to find out more.

If you have tried other options but still need help, please contact us. We will talk with you about your needs. We may offer you a social care assessment.

The assessment will look at:

• what you can do
• what you need help with
• what is important to you
• what may help you stay independent.

Asking for an adult social care assessment

You can ask us for an assessment. A friend or family member can also contact us for you. A professional, such as your GP, may refer you.

We can offer you an assessment if:

• you are aged 18 or over
• you may need care and support
• you live in Peterborough.

Do you need care and support?

The Care Act 2014 sets out who can get care and support from a council.

You may be able to get support if all three of these points apply:

• your needs are linked to an illness or a physical or mental condition
• your needs stop you from doing two or more important everyday tasks
• this has a major effect on your wellbeing.

Visit the Social Care Institute for Excellence website to find out more about the rules.

Contact us if you would like to ask for an assessment.

What happens during an assessment

The assessment helps us understand your life and what matters to you. We will talk about what you can do and what you need help with.

We will also ask what you want to change. This will help us find ways to keep you safe, well and independent.

If you need care and support, we can make a plan with you.

A member of staff can complete the assessment with you. You may also be able to complete it yourself with support.

The assessment is a two-way talk. You can ask questions and tell us what matters to you.

With your permission, we may speak to other people who know or support you. We will also think about the needs of your family or carer. They can ask us for their own assessment.

What will we talk about?

We will talk with you about:

• your life now
• what you can do
• what is going well
• what is not going well
• what you want to change
• the help you may need.
• We will keep the information you give us private. We will not share it without your permission unless the law says that we must.

Your privacy is important to us

We will keep the information you give us private. We will not share it without your permission unless the law says that we must.

Areas of your life

We may ask about different parts of your life. We will also ask what has led you to contact us.

We may talk about:

• your health
• how safe you feel
• your movement and physical health
• your mental health
• how you look after yourself each day
• the things you do in your local area
• the people who support you
• the help you need.

Assessment summary

We will write a summary of your needs and what you want to achieve.

We will look at any risks to your health or wellbeing. We will agree with you how to manage these risks.

We will also look at ways to help you stay independent and reduce your need for care. Your assessor will explain whether you can get support from the council.

Making your own care and support plan

If you can get support from us, you can make your own care and support plan.

You can ask other people to help you. This could include:

• family or friends
• a care provider
• a key worker
• an independent support planner.

Anyone who helps you must put your needs first. We will check that your plan meets your needs.

If we help you make your plan, we will:

• look at the needs found in your assessment
• look at help from family, friends and carers
• look at help in your local area
• plan the support you need
• work out how much the support will cost
• give you advice to help you stay independent.

You will have choice and control over how your care and support needs are met.

If you need help with your assessment

If you need help with any part of your assessment you can ask POhWER, our advocacy provider, to help you. You can call get in touch with them by:

Phone: 0300 456 2370

Email: pohwer@pohwer.net

Will I have to pay for my care?

Adult social care is not always free. The amount you pay will depend on your income and savings.

If you have more than £23,250 in savings, you will usually pay the full cost of your care.

You can ask us to arrange your care. We will charge a fee for this service.

If you have between £14,250 and £23,250 in savings, you may have to pay some of your care costs. The council may pay the rest.

If you have less than £14,250 in savings, we will not include your savings when we work out what you must pay. You may still need to pay some of the cost from your income.

We can help you fill in a financial assessment form. We use this form to work out how much you can afford to pay.

Read our Paying for Your Care page. You can also read our Paying for Care information sheet.