Adult Social Care
Are you struggling with day-to-day tasks?
Do you or a family member need support to look after themselves?
Understanding how social care works can be confusing.
We are going to tell you:
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the types of care and support available
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where to find information
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and how services are paid for.
What is Adult Social Care?
Social care can be very different from the health care you receive from the NHS. It offers practical support to help people to live independently. Although it can also include medical help.
These services are provided in people's homes, care homes or in the community rather than in hospital or a GP practice.
Adult social care is practical help for people over 18 that aims to assist people to live their lives independently and with dignity. This means the services people use vary.
All adults over 18 are entitled to an evaluation to see if they qualify for help or support. You can have a free assessment to check your eligibility for support.
What type of support is available through social care?
Hampshire County Council (HCC) manages social care services in Hampshire. Some services are provided by the council, while some are provided by care providers.
Local services can include:
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Support to help people develop the skills needed to live independently. Sometimes these services are referred to as 'reablement services' or 'short-term support'. They can involve help with doing activities again after illness or injury.
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Help with getting up in the morning, washing, dressing and using the toilet. These services are known as 'personal care'.
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Help with tasks like cleaning, cooking, eating or shopping.
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Support with organising leisure or social activities. These services are called 'daycare services' or 'daycare opportunities'.
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'Respite care' or 'carers breaks' allow unpaid carers to take a break from caring. The care would be provided by different carers, including potentially for overnight stays.
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Help finding housing for people who are homeless with care needs
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Equipment or changes to your home
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Moving to a residential care home if you can no longer live at home
How can you access adult social care support?
If you or a family member need social care, a care needs assessment is the first step.
To get a Care Assessment you need to contact the Adults’ Health and Care Team at HCC. It is free and all adults are entitled to one, regardless of how much money they have or what their needs are.
This assessment will decide if you could qualify for help or support.
If you are not eligible for help from HCC, they should give you information on how to access services
Fill out this online form to make a referral for you or someone else
or call, 0300 555 1386 or 0300 555 1373 (out of hours)
If you provide unpaid care for someone else, you can get a 'carers assessment'.
After discharge from the hospital, you may be offered a care assessment at home. This is called a 'discharge to assess' or a 'home first' approach.
To help you prepare for an assessment check this Age UK page out.
How do I pay for social care?
You may have to pay for social care services.
As well as a Care Assessment your local council will also do a Financial Assessment (or ‘means test’). It will show if you qualify for free social care or whether you need to contribute towards/pay for the cost of care. If receiving paid services, you may need to pay all or some of the cost yourself.
HCC have a quick financial indicator tool to find out if you are likely to qualify for financial help.
Some support is free and available to everyone, it does not matter what your income is. This includes free home adaptations and equipment that cost less than £1000. For example, ramps and handrails.
If you can get financial support, HCC may provide you with a 'personal budget' to spend on local services.
Unpaid carers do not have to contribute towards the support services they access. Therefore, a financial assessment is not needed. Services provided to the person you care for are still chargeable. Read more here
Where can I find more information about social care?
Hampshire County Council have an information and advice service to help you make choices and plans based on the help you need.
You can also find more advice on social care here:
NHS Continuing Healthcare
The NHS can assess people with complex and long-term health needs for social care support. This is known as 'NHS Continuing Healthcare' or 'NHS CHC'.
It is a separate assessment process from the needs assessments carried out by HCC. Some people can also qualify for free social care through this.
The organisation Beacon provides free independent advice on NHS continuing healthcare.
Watch James' Social Care Story
This is Jame's social care story, provided by Healthwatch England.
Whats your experience?
Are you or a loved one not getting the social care support you need? Tell us! We use your feedback to help services improve care for everyone.