The person who assesses you should look at the emotional and social side of your life as well as any physical difficulties you might have. They should take into account any health or housing needs you may have; and contact any other health and social care professionals who need to be involved in your assessment and care.

You may need a specialist assessment for a particular need (such as adaptations to your home). Or you may need a more comprehensive assessment of the different sorts of help you need to stay in your home. This assessment might include several people such as a social worker, occupational therapist, nurse, and possibly even a housing officer if you have special housing needs.

How long will I have to wait for an assessment?
You may have to wait for a while to have an assessment, depending on how urgently your local authority thinks you need help. For example, if you need a grab rail for your bathroom you may have to wait a few weeks. But if you need somebody to help you get out of bed in the mornings you should be assessed as a priority case.

Unfortunately there isn't a set time in which you can insist on having an assessment but if you feel that the waiting time is unreasonable you should put in a complaint. See the page on What if I have a complaint.

Will my carer be part of the assessment?
If somebody cares for you, it can be very helpful for them to be involved in your assessment. Social services should not assume that your carer will automatically be able to carry out caring duties. What they are able and willing to do must be considered when your needs are being assessed. Services, such as funding respite care, can be arranged to give your carer a break. As well as being involved in your assessment, your carer can ask to have a separate assessment of their needs (called a carer's assessment) – see the page on Help for carers.

How will the assessment be done?
Somebody should visit you. The assessment should not be done over the phone or by letter. Your needs can't be properly assessed in that way. If you don't receive a visit you can put in a complaint that your needs have not been properly assessed.

How can I prepare for the assessment?
The assessment is about you and your needs. You should be involved and your wishes should be taken into account. So it is helpful if you can think about what you want to tell the person who is doing the assessment.

• Some people find it helps to have a friend or relative to offer support during the assessment; they may remember things that you have forgotten to mention.
• Keep a diary for a couple of days before you have the assessment, giving details of all the times that you need help.
• Try to think about bad days as well as good. Although it is good to have a positive outlook you need to be realistic about what help you need.
• Don't assume that the person doing the assessment knows what you need help with. This will probably be the first time they have met you and all they will know is what you tell them. Give them as much detail as you can, even if you think it's not important.
• You may find it useful to draw up a checklist of the activities you have difficulties with; and the services and equipment you feel might help you cope at home.
• If you have difficulties communicating or if English is not your first language, social services should make special arrangements for you so that you can play a full part in your assessment.

You should be given a written copy of your assessment. You may be asked to sign it; read it carefully before you sign or get somebody to read it to you. If there is anything you do not agree with add a little note of your own or you can refuse to sign it.

You should be given the name of the person who will be responsible for your care services. They are often called your care manager and should regularly check that your services are right for you and that your needs haven't changed. You can request a re-assessment of your needs at any time if you feel that your package of care is no longer meeting your needs.