Where to get social care support

Where to get social care support

How to get social care support, whether you’re accessing it for the first time or you’ve recently become a carer.

If you need social care support

Social care support services are available for people who need support because of illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction.

To find out what social care support you can get, ask your council for an assessment of your care needs. This is free and organised by your council’s social care department.

Support they could provide includes:

• home care
• day care
• equipment and adaptations to your home
• community activities
• residential care
• financial help
• information and advice services
• advocacy, which helps make sure your voice is heard

If you’re an unpaid carer and you need support

If you’re an unpaid carer there is also support available. Learn more about:

• how to know if you’re an unpaid carer
• where to find support if you’re a carer

If you’re a young carer there is also extra help. A young carer is someone under the age of 18, or 18 and still at school, who provides care.

Read about young carers and young adult carers.

You can find your local young carer service.

If you’re a carer you should also get an assessment to find out what help you might need. Depending on your age, this might be a:

• Young carer statement
• Adult carer support plan

These are free and organised by your council’s social care department.

The council helps you get the services you need so you – or the person you care for – can live at home as independently as possible.

Services provided by the council might include:

• short breaks from caring
• support for carers
• financial help
• information and advice services

Your rights

You should expect certain standards of care from organisations who provide social care support.

There are also ways to complain if you feel the service is below the recommended standard.

Find out more about your rights.