Then they will draw up a 'care plan' based on the results. This should include a range of services to make it easier for you to continue caring. It should be clear about which services are for you and which are for the person you are looking after.

Social services are responsible for arranging:

• permanent residential or nursing home; and 
• respite care for the person you are caring for – to give you a complete break.

Once a social services department has decided that a service should be provided to the person being cared for, then it must be provided, whether or not the local authority has the money. Services cannot be withdrawn unless social services carry out a re-assessment of the needs of the person you are caring for.

In some cases, services must be provided, regardless of resources – for instance, where the person cared for would be at severe physical risk if the services were not provided.