Arranging care and support for someone

It’s often hard to know where to start when you need to arrange care or support for a loved one or friend. We provide information about all the possibilities to help you get the information you need to make an informed choice in their best interests.

A carer and her parents sat on the sofa together.

Needs assessments

A needs assessment is provided free by your local council or trust, and looks at what help someone might need with their care.

Needs assessment

Care at home options

This section offers tips and guidance if you're caring for someone who needs extra support in the home.

Getting care support at home

Finding residential care

Guidance on how to find a suitable home for someone that caters for their needs

Residential care

smiling older woman with glasses looking at paid care worker

Finding care agencies and care workers

What to look out for and what to consider when considering paying for support

Finding care agencies and care workers

woman sitting at desk looking at computer

Directly employing a care worker

What to look out for and what to consider

Employing a care worker directly

man using a wheelchair working at computer

Direct payments

If you get help from social services, these can give you greater choice over how you pay for social care support

Direct payments

Personal Budgets

The amount of money your local council or trust will pay towards any social care support you need.

Personal budgets

Complaining about a care service

Outlining what steps to take

Making complaints

care worker wearing mask shows older woman a smartphone

MyBackUp

A contingency planning tool to have a plan for care cover when needed

Creating a contingency plan

woman in wheelchair and carer in a field looking into the horizon

End of life planning

This section offers tips and guidance if you're caring for someone who is nearing the end of their life.

End of life planning

Illustration of occupational therapist assessment

Animated video on getting support at home

Getting more help with your caring role can seem daunting, but some extra support can make a big difference. In this animation, we share some tips to help you request extra help at home.

Watch the video

Hitesh sitting with his mum, doing paperwork

CQC and care standards

Find out more about care standards and what to expect.

Care standards

Needs assessments

Care at home options

Finding residential care

Finding care agencies and care workers

Directly employing a care worker

Direct payments

Personal Budgets

Complaining about a care service

MyBackUp

End of life planning

Animated video on getting support at home

CQC and care standards

Factsheets on assessments

Assessments England April 2023 24

Assessments NI April 2023 24

Assessments Scotland April 2023 24

Assessments Wales April 2023 24