Social care explained
What is adult social care?
Adult Social care differs from the health care you receive from the NHS. It can include medical help, although adult social care offers more practical support to enable people to live independently.
These services are usually provided in people's homes, care homes or elsewhere in the community.
An introduction to the Care Journey
This video explains what a care journey looks like, and how adult social care services work.
What do all the social care words mean - the care journey jargon buster
It can be hard to understand what some of the adult social care words mean.
This video explains the terms and shows what you might see and hear on your adult social care journey.
If you, a friend, or relative needs social care, it's important to understand what types of care and support are available, and where to find the correct information.
Social care services can include things like
- equipment and technology to live independently at home
- care and support services in the community, your own home or a care home
- a direct payment to help you arrange your own care and support
- Different types of housing, such as independent living and extra care housing
Social care and support services are usually paid for either
- privately by you or your family
- by the local authority when you're eligible for support
Eligibility for support is established by a financial assessment to work out how much, if anything, you will have to contribute towards this cost yourself.
More information about
If you think that you or someone else needs social care, understanding your needs and how you might find help yourself is the first step.
Information on Care and support services can help you to decide if your needs can be met within the community.
If you think that you require a higher level of support your care assessment can be initiated.
More information about
Your care options
If you are eligible for support, then there are a range of care options that might be presented to you. The video below explains the different types of care option and when they are offered.
This video explains what different care options mean including
- short-term care services
- care and support plan
- brokerage
- accommodation or housing support options
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