To get a care needs assessment in Trafford, you contact Trafford Council's adult social care team and ask for one — it is free, and anyone who appears to need care and support has the right to request it, whether for themselves or for someone they look after. The assessment looks at how a person is managing day to day and what support would help, and it is the usual first step towards any council funding for services like adult day care.
What a care needs assessment is
A needs assessment is a conversation — in person, by phone or sometimes online — about the difficulties someone is having and the support that might help. It is not a test to pass or fail, and you do not need a diagnosis to ask for one. The aim is simply to understand the person's needs and whether they are eligible for support under the Care Act.
How to request one in Trafford
For most of the families we support, the relevant authority is Trafford Council; Manchester residents contact Manchester City Council. You can request an assessment by phone or through the council's website. You can ask for an assessment for yourself, or for someone else with their agreement — and as a carer, you can also request a separate Carer's Assessment of your own needs.
What happens at the assessment
A social care worker will talk through daily life — things like managing personal care, staying safe, eating well, keeping connected and avoiding isolation. If the assessment finds the person has eligible needs, the council then carries out a financial assessment (a means test) to work out how much, if anything, they contribute towards their care.
How it leads to funding for day care
If someone is assessed as eligible and the financial assessment agrees, the council may fund some or all of their support — which can include attending a day service. That funding is often provided as a personal budget or a direct payment, giving families the freedom to choose a service that suits them. We explain how all of this fits together on our costs and funding page.
You can start day care while you wait
Assessments can take time, and you do not have to wait for one before exploring day care. Many families start on a self-funded basis and later use funding once it is in place, or simply choose to pay privately for the flexibility. If you would like to talk through the options — or arrange a visit while the process is underway — please get in touch and we will be glad to help.
Come and see us
The best way to know whether day care is right is to visit. You are always welcome to look around our Stretford centre, meet the team and see a typical day, with no obligation, whatever stage of the process you are at.