Housing & Support From Your Local Authority

Social care is not necessarily a replacement for a parent or carer’s support, but can complement the support they provide and is there to help the person they support. Some social care provision is to support the carer in their role by enabling them to have a break and be involved in work, training, leisure or other activities.

Social care support can take different forms. Depending on the person’s needs and wishes this could include support with personal care, such as washing, eating or going to the toilet, support with household tasks, travelling, living in their own home, developing friendships and taking part in leisure activities.

Social care support can be provided as services from a local authority, services from other organisations commissioned by a local authority or as financial payments (direct payments) paid directly to the person so they can buy and manage their own support. The first step towards getting social care support is to ask your local authority for a needs assessment.