Most of us want to live independently in our own homes for as long as possible. Information about how to get help at home and paying for that support.

Information about getting care in your own home. Includes links to factsheets about finding help at home in Wales, social care assessments for older people with care needs in Wales, obtaining disability equipment and home adaptations in Wales, direct payments for community care services in Wales, and getting help at home. (Content applies to Wales only)

Information about the different kinds of homecare available and how to find it as well as information about what's involved if you hire a personal assistant. 

This factsheet explains the process for obtaining a local authority assessment of your care and support needs whether you are someone who needs care or you are a carer, deciding whether you are eligible to receive care and support services, and working out a plan to meet your care and support needs including the cost. (Content applies to England only)

Information on all aspects of getting needs assessed - if you are finding it difficult to manage at home, you can have an assessment of your needs carried out by the social services department to see what help you may require. (Content applies to England only.)

This factsheet covers the help you can get from the local authority to manage your daily tasks at home through the provision of specially designed equipment or home adaptations. (Content applies to England only.)

If you’re finding it difficult to manage everyday tasks at home, you have a right to ask your council’s adult social services department to assess your support needs. Explains how to ask for a care needs assessment and what support services you may receive from your local council if you are assessed as needing support. (Content applies to England and Wales only)

Explains how carer's assessments take place and what areas of your life you will be encouraged to talk about. It also provides information on the type of help that may be provided to you after the assessment has been carried out.

If you are finding it difficult to manage living at home, it may be possible for you to get your house adapted so that it is suitable for your needs, or for you to get help so that you can stay in your home. Information on the help you can get, if you will have to pay for it and if so how you can pay for it, and where you can get help and advice. (Content applies to England only)

Explains the changes created by the Care Act 2014 and what it means for you. (Content applies to England only) Also links to guides that are applicable to Wales, Scoltand and Northern Ireland.

Some aspects of The Care Act came into force in April 2015. This Act gave anyone who believes they may need care and support the right to a free care needs assessment. Explains the council should also do a financial assessment to see they should contribute to your care costs. 

Help available for carers, including practical help and help with money. Also includes useful organisations and finding help where you live.

It can be a very worrying time if you are thinking about caring for someone who is coming out of hospital and who can no longer care for themselves in the same way as before. Links to different factsheets for England and Wales giving information about hospital discharge procedures and carer's assessments. They also explain how you can challenge decisions should you feel that you are not being listened to or involved sufficiently or the person you are caring for is being or was discharged without consultation and without the necessary support being in place.

A sample complaint letter that you can adapt to help you complain about your social care needs assessment.

Information on how to make a complaint about NHS treatment or social care services provided by a local authority or private care provider, including details of organisations which can help. (Content applies to England)