The next steps
- Contact your local authority
- Decide on the type of care you need
- Explore funding options
- Choose a care provider
Contact your local authority
Whether or not you want your local authority to help with your care, it’s important that you ask their adult social services department to assess your needs. As well as identifying the care you need and your options for getting it, an assessment will give you a good idea of cost and what funding is available to you.
You can find your local authority’s contact details on their website, at their offices or in the phone book. Your GP, healthcare professional or local Citizens Advice Bureau will also be able to tell you how to get in touch with them.
Decide on the type of care you need
Once you’ve spoken with your local authority’s social services department, you may come out with a care and support plan (if you meet the national eligibility criteria) or at the very least you will have received some good information and advice on what support might be available to you.
The next step is to decide which type of care you need. The most basic question is whether you would prefer to be cared for at home or whether residential care would be better for you.
Home care options
This type of care allows you to stay independent in the familiarity and comfort of your own home. A care worker can either visit you or live with you, offering you as many hours of care as you need. You can look at the types of care we offer to get a general idea of what might suit you.
Residential care options
Residential care ranges from housing schemes and retirement villages, to care homes with or without nursing and support, depending on your health needs. If you can’t stay at home or you would like to meet new people, one of these options may be right for you.
Explore funding options
When you’re looking to arrange care, understanding how it will be paid for is likely to be one of your key concerns. We have a whole section of the website dedicated to clarifying your options on funding your care.
Choose a care provider
Research can be time-consuming but it will be worthwhile to find the right provider for you.
If you’re eligible for funded care, your local authority will point you towards their nominated care provider or recommend a local service if it’s more suitable. At this point, you are entitled to review who will provide your care and have the option to request a personal budget to choose your own provider.
If you don’t qualify for financial assistance, or you’d prefer not to involve social services, you can contact private providers or local voluntary organisations.
When you’re deciding on a care provider, ask yourself if their services match your needs right now, as well as the needs you expect to have in the future.
Also ask if the provider:
- is registered with its regulator
- is a member of the United Kingdom Home Care Association (UKHCA)
- has checked its staff with the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as the Criminal Records Bureau)
- fully trains its care workers and monitors when they visit your home
- gives you a free home visit to assess your requirements
As one of the UK’s largest care providers we understand better than anyone how good care can make a real difference to people’s lives. And we’ve been delivering that care for over 40 years. Thousands of people trust us to look after them in their own homes. In fact, we provide over 9 million hours of care every year – a fact we’re really proud of. Find out more about us.
Got Questions?
Explore our FAQs page, or if you’d prefer to speak to someone, our friendly advisers would be happy to answer any questions you have – call us on 0800 542 1078.
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