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, so if you or a family member need care and support, it's important to know about the types available, where to find up to date information, and understand 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. Although it can include medical help, social care offers more practical support to enable people to live independently.

These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or elsewhere in the community rather than at a GP practice or hospital.

If you or a loved one needs social care, it's important to understand what types of care and support are available, where to find the correct information and how to fund services.

Who might need Social Care?

Adult social care is personalised practical support for people over 18 that aims to assist people to live their lives independently and with dignity. This means the services people use vary

This can include if you are

An older person
Living with a disability
Have a long term health condition (inc mental health)
Are recovering from hospital
Recovering from an injury

Do you need help with everyday tasks such as:

Eating, drinking and preparing meals

Personal care like washing and dressing

Being safe at home and being able to maintain their home

Developing and maintaining family and other personal relationships

Being able to work and participate in training, education, or volunteering

Making use of services in the local community (including public transport and recreation)

Caring for children

All adults over 18 are entitled to an evaluation to determine whether they could qualify for help or support. You can have a free assessment to determine your eligibility for support.

How do I receive help through social care?

What type of support is available through social care?

Hampshire County Council is responsible for managing social care services in your area. Councils may provide some services themselves, or they may buy services from care providers to meet the needs of their community.

Local services can include:

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 certain activities again after illness or injury.
Support with getting up in the morning, washing, dressing and using the toilet. These services are known as 'personal care'.
Help with household tasks like cleaning, cooking, eating or shopping.
Support with organising physical, leisure or social activities. These services are called 'daycare services' or 'daycare opportunities'. They can involve serving meals or refreshments, helping with health issues or providing an opportunity to meet and chat with others.
'Respite care' or 'carers breaks' provide opportunities for unpaid carers to take a break from caring. During these breaks, the person being cared for would have their care needs met by different carers, sometimes in a different location for a few hours, an overnight stay or even longer.
Support finding housing for people affected by homelessness who have care needs following a needs assessment.

It could be that you need a piece of equipment, changes to their home, practical help with daily tasks, help getting out in the community or if people can no longer live at home, it could mean moving to a residential care home.

How can you access adult social care support?

If you or a family member need social care, whether that's home adaptations or a care home, a care needs assessment is the first step.

To get a Care Assessment you need to contact the Adults’ Health and Care Team at Hampshire County Council. The assessment is free, and all adults are entitled to one, regardless of how much money they have or what their needs are.

This assessment will determine whether they could qualify for help or support.

If your care and support needs are not eligible for help from the Council, they should give you information about how to access services and support for yourself. 

Fill out this online form to make a referral for you or someone else

or call,

0300 555 1386

Monday 8.30am to 5pm
Tuesday to Thursday 9.30am to 5pm
Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm

Out of hours 0300 555 1373

Monday to Thursday 5pm to 8.30am
Friday 4.30pm to Monday 8.30am
All day on Bank Holidays

The NHS can also assess people with very complex and long-term health needs for social care support, known as 'NHS Continuing Healthcare' or 'NHS CHC', and involves a separate assessment process from the needs assessments carried out by local authorities.

If you provide unpaid care for someone else, your assessment is called a 'carers assessment'.

Alternatively, you may be offered a care assessment at home after being discharged from the hospital, 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’) that will determine whether you qualify for free social care or whether you need to contribute towards/pay for the cost of care.

A 'financial assessment' or 'means test' will determine whether you qualify for free social care or need to contribute towards the cost of your care.

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 each eg handrails, ramps, walking frames and more.

After completing your needs assessment with Hampshire County Council, if you are eligible for care – a financial assessment will be completed and tell you an costs you will need to pay. If receiving paid services. You may need to pay all or some of the cost yourself

There is a quick financial indicator tool to find out if you are likely to qualify for financial help

The criteria used in means tests are complicated and involve the local authority looking at your 'financial assets'.

What are the current means test thresholds are?

If you are eligible for any financial support, your local authority will provide you with a 'personal budget' which you can spend on local services.

Some people can also qualify for free social care through NHS continuing healthcare. However, if your assessment finds you are not eligible, you might be eligible instead for 'NHS-funded nursing care', where the NHS will contribute to the cost of your nursing care, for example, in a care home.

If you have family or friends caring for you, you may not have to pay for services. Additionally, carers can also receive support for their wellbeing and training. Once you qualify for aid, your council can help you create a personalised plan that meets your specific needs.

The organisation Beacon provides free independent advice on NHS continuing healthcare.

Unpaid carers do not have to contribute towards the support services they access following an assessment.

What are the current means test thresholds?

Where can I find more information about social care?

All local authorities have a dedicated information and advice service which can provide people with details about local social care so you can make well-informed choices and plans based on the help you need.

Information and advice services will provide more information on:

Assessments and eligibility.
Personal budgets.
Choosing the right care option.
Safeguarding.
Independent advocacy

Need more support?

You can also find more advice on social care here:

Helplines

Citizens Advice Hampshire

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.