Care needs assessments
If you think you have any care and support needs you are entitled to a free care needs assessment. The assessment will give us information about your situation and what changes you would like to make in your life.
The care needs assessment looks at how your needs impact on your wellbeing and the outcomes you would like to achieve in your daily life. We will assess your care and support needs with you, and decide if they are at the level where you need support.
Your needs could be eligible if you are not able to do a combination of certain things that significantly affect your wellbeing. These may include:
- washing yourself
- getting dressed
- going to work, college or volunteering
- keeping your home safe for you to live in.
You can either:
- complete a self assessment
- request a care needs assessment
- ask a professional (for example your GP) to refer you.
Self assessment
Request a care needs assessment
Before you request an assessment you may want to go to the Connect to Support website to get information about care and support you can access yourself or for your friends, family and relatives.
Read about the care needs assessment, how you can prepare for it, and what happens after so you know what to expect and if you are likely to be eligible for support from us.
There are 2 ways to request help and support, and it is really important that you use the right one for your circumstances.
Using the wrong referral process may delay any support we can offer.
The person you are contacting us about must be:
- over 18 years old
- living in Kent, or moving to Kent.
The quickest and easiest way to get help is online. We'll review all referrals within 2 working days and get in touch with the person needing support within 6 weeks.
Complete our online self-referral form
If you need urgent medical support, contact NHS 111, or call 999 if there is an immediate danger to life.
If you need urgent mental health support, call 0800 783 9111.
If you work for us and need to make a referral, you must contact the receiving team directly.
To complete a professional referral using our online form you must:
- be referring in your professional capacity
- ensure the person is aware of your referral to us
- ensure the person is over 18 and lives in Kent.
By making a referral online, you will be providing us with the relevant information and this will allow us to support in the right way, as quickly as possible.
We review all referrals within 2 working days. If sufficient information is included, your referral will be fast-tracked.
Complete our professional referral form
If you work for us and need to make a referral, you must contact the receiving team directly.
Contact us
The quickest way to get an assessment is to fill out the online referral form, but if you need to speak to us:
- call 03000 41 61 61 (Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm)
- call 03000 41 91 91 (outside of office hours - for emergencies only)
- text relay 18001 03000 41 61 61
- email social.services@kent.gov.uk.
To find out how we use the personal information you give us read our privacy notices.