How do I get help at home from a paid carer?
If you think you need help coping at home, the first step is getting something called a needs assessment from Islington Council.
What is a needs assessment?
A needs assessment is a meeting between you and a care professional to understand what type of support you may need to live independently. You'll need to have this assessment before the council can recommend services such as:
- practical help at home from a paid carer.
- equipment like a walking frame or personal alarm
- changes to your home such as a walk-in shower
- day care for your child if either you or they are disabled
- access to day centres and lunch clubs
- moving to a care home
The needs assessment is free and anyone can ask for one.
How to get a needs assessment
To apply for a needs assessment, contact your GP or the adult social care department at Islington Council. You can call the council if you'd like to speak to somebody or apply online.
Contacting the council to get a needs assessment:
020 7527 2299 (you can call from 9am to 5pm - Monday to Friday)
If you’re not able to do this yourself, a friend or relative can request the assessment on your behalf (and, if relevant, they may want to arrange a carer’s assessment for themselves at the same time).
What happens at the needs assessment?
Someone from the council such as a social worker or occupational therapist will ask you how you're managing everyday tasks like washing, dressing, and cooking.
They might ask you to describe how well you do certain things like making a cup of tea and getting out of a chair.
If it seems you may need some alterations in and around your home such as grab rails in the bathroom, you might also be referred for a separate assessment of your home.
- The needs assessment can happen face-to-face, over the phone, or online
- Assessments usually last at least an hour.
The consumer organisation Which has produced more information on how to prepare and what to expect from a needs assessment
Will the council pay for my home care?
If you need care, the council will then do a financial assessment to work out what you will have to pay towards the cost of your care. This is called a means test.
The means test works out if:
- the council pays the maximum amount towards your care and you might have to pay a contribution too
- the council pays a smaller part of the cost and you pay the rest
- you pay the full cost of your care
The financial assessment is free. It can be arranged for you after your needs assessment. Read more about the financial assessment.
After the assessment, you'll receive a written care plan (sometimes called a care and support plan). This should outline your assessed needs and suggest suitable solutions. It will also explain which needs will be met by the local authority.
Other useful links
- Independent Age: advice about getting help at home
- CQC: what can you expect from a good homecare agency?
- Which? how to choose a home care service
Still have questions?
Contact our advice and information service by phone or email
