Access to Social Care Services

When we have assessed and agreed your care needs with you, we can consider how to meet those eligible needs in the best way. We will consider both your needs and your carers' needs. We will discuss with you what we are proposing and agree what it is we should try and achieve. If you have social care or long term health care needs, we will carry out a risk assessment to find out if you are eligible for services.

Demand for services is always heavy and each council has a limited amount of money. We have to make sure that the services that we provide are given to the people with the greatest need. We do this by using eligibility criteria. How we decide is the same for everyone. It also means that we treat everyone fairly and everyone can see and understand how we decide who receives help.

You can ask for more information on who is entitled to community care services.

If you are not eligible for community care services we will offer you advice and information about other ways your needs may be met. This may include services provided in the community by other Council departments or independent and voluntary bodies.

If you are eligible we will then write a 'care plan'.