What social care services are available?

Many people’s first impression or thoughts of social care might be a residential care home. In fact, there are a wide variety of social care services available and most people will be able to have care provided in their home.

The kind of social care support you can get depends largely on your needs. This means the type of condition you have, or the severity of your disability. For example, if you have trouble walking, you may simply require some equipment to help you remain mobile and independent. However, if you develop a condition that seriously affects your mental capacity or your ability to move and look after yourself, you are likely to need a much wider range of social care services.

It is worth taking time to think about your specific needs and what you think you might need to help you achieve the best quality of life you can.

Care and support services might typically include:

• Equipment – e.g. to help you move around your home,
• Help in your home - e.g. to wash, cook and clean,
• Community support and activities – e.g. community transport services,
• Day centres – e.g. provide meals and opportunities to socialise,
• Home adaptations – e.g. wider door ways and lower work surfaces,
• Residential care – e.g. Respite care to allow your carers a break or rest,
• Financial support – e.g. rights to additional benefits (see our section on direct payments),
• Information and advisory services, and advocacy – e.g. help you obtain what you are entitled to,
• Support for carers – e.g. every carer is entitled to a carer’s assessment, and 
• Other care support - e.g. healthcare support if you have care needs relating to an on-going health condition.

We have further information on paying for social care.