Preparing for your assessment
What you need to know for an assessment or review meeting with adult social care
This page is designed to help you get ready for your assessment, and you may also find it useful during and after your assessment.
The printable version includes space for you to jot down notes, helping you remember key points you want to discuss or questions you want to ask.
Topics to consider
To make the most of your meeting with a social care worker, it's beneficial to be prepared. Start thinking about your future and consider the following:
- What is important to me and why?
- Who is important to me and why?
- How is my life currently, and what would I change if I could?
- What do I enjoy now or want to enjoy again?
- What challenges do I face, and what might help me overcome them?
Speaking with a social care worker
When you or someone else contacts us about your wellbeing, we will arrange to speak with you. This conversation may take place in your own home, the hospital or care home or over the phone. We will discuss how we can support you in maintaining your independence and the best ways to provide you with the information, advice, and support you need.
We will talk about:
- Your goals and what is important to you
- What you can do to achieve these goals
- The support your friends or family can offer
- How community services, networks, or charities can assist you
- The support we can provide
Together, we will agree on:
- What changes you might be able to make
- What you will ask your friends and family to do
- Which organisations either you or we will contact
If your meeting is for a review, we will also talk to you about the outcomes in your support plan and whether these are being met. We will want to know what you think is going well and if there is anything you would like to change. We will always send you a copy of your assessment and support plan.
If you need help to participate in the meeting, you can have a family member or friend with you. If no one is available, let us know, and we will arrange for someone to assist you. We will ensure you have access to an advocate who can help you during the assessment to say what care and support you need. You can find out more about Advocacy Services by visiting www.voiceability.org/
We will also consider any necessary adjustments to support your participation, whether the assessment is in person or over the phone. This might include providing support with communication, such as offering documents in alternative formats (e.g., large print) or arranging interpreters to overcome language barriers.
Assessing Care Act eligibility
Under the Care Act 2014, we assess your care and support needs based on national eligibility criteria. This involves determining if your needs arise from a physical or mental impairment or illness, if these needs prevent you from achieving certain outcomes, and if this has a significant impact on your wellbeing.
If you are not eligible, we will give you information and advice and help you to think about other ways to meet your needs. If you do not agree, you have the right to complain.
If you are eligible, we will work together to help you to identify your goals and develop a plan to achieve them.
Adult social care charging
Following your assessment, should you receive care funded by your Adult Social Care- at home, in the community, or in a residential home, you will be asked about your individual circumstances to work out if, and how much, you can contribute to the cost of your care.
You can visit www.bolton.gov.uk/funding-adult-social-care to find out more. In addition, there is an easy-to-use online calculator which will tell you how much you might be asked to pay towards the cost of your care - free, in confidence, and in your own time.
Online Contribution Calculator
How to contact adult social care
If you would like a printed version of this information, to request a printed version in another language or if you have any questions, you can contact us via:
Telephone: 01204 337860 Email: EITTeam@bolton.gov.uk
Alternatively, the information on this page is available as a downloadable pdf (English)
How to appeal or complain
If you do not agree with a decision about your support package, contact Adult Social Care in the first instance.
If you are still unhappy with the decision, you can contact:
- Email: quality@bolton.gov.uk
- tell someone working in the service or
- phone 01204 338021
If you are still not happy, you can go to the Local Government Ombudsman. https://www.lgo.org.uk/
The Local Government Ombudsman make decisions on complaints about all councils in England.