Help from social services and charities

• Telephone helplines and forums.
• Getting a needs assessment.
• Care and support plans.
• Financial assessment (means test)
• Someone to speak up for you (advocate)
• Care for people with mental health problems (Care Programme Approach)
• Abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults.

  What is a social services assessment?

  A health and social care assessment is carried out by social services to find out what help and support you need – like healthcare, equipment, help in your home or residential care.

  What is a social care need?

  2.2 In general terms (not a legal definition) it can be said that a social care need is one that is focused on providing assistance with activities of daily living, maintaining independence, social interaction, enabling the individual to play a fuller part in society, protecting them in vulnerable situations, helping …

  How can social services be accessed?

  Referrals to social services can happen in a number of ways. You can request help yourself by calling your local social services – you can find your local social services here. Referrals can be made by other professionals who are working with your family or children, including schools, GPs, health visitors, and more.

  Can you refuse social services assessment?

  You can’t refuse a needs assessment if: you lack the capacity to refuse, and the local authority believes that it’s in your best interests to have an assessment. the local authority believes you’ve experienced abuse or neglect, or are at risk of it (see our page on safeguarding in social care).

  Do social services come unannounced?

  Unannounced Visits Unannounced visits offer the Social Worker the opportunity to see the child and the carers without the pre- planning processes that may have occurred prior to a planned or expected visit. This will provide a balanced perspective of the quality of life for the child in the home.