Skip to main content
Access Stamp
← Back to guides
Practical guideGuide

Care Act assessments: eligibility, wellbeing, and delays

Under the Care Act 2014 (England), where it appears an adult may have needs for care and support, the local authority must carry out a needs assessment — regardless of your income or savings. Needs can be physical, mental, or a combination. The assessment should involve you and be proportionate; it is not a memory test you must pass.

  • 📅Last updated 2026-05-07
  • ⏱11 min read
  • 🇬🇧UK support guide
  • ✓Reviewed against official guidance

Guide summary

Under the Care Act 2014 (England), where it appears an adult may have needs for care and support, the local authority must carry out a needs assessment — regardless of your income or savings. Needs can be physical, mental, or a combination. The assessment should involve you and be proportionate; it is not a memory test you must pass.

  • Daily living: washing, dressing, meals, continence, moving around the home, stairs, night needs.
  • Risks: falls, seizures, confusion with gas or meds, pressure injury, choking.
  • Cognition and communication: needing prompts, reassurance, or advocacy.
  • Carer breakdown: if an unpaid carer cannot continue safely, say so plainly.
More guides in this topic →

Practical next steps

Visible actions you can take now — no accordion required.

  • Work through each step

    Follow the checklist in order — the first step is open so you can start immediately.

    Jump to steps →

  • Use a template

    Download wording you can adapt for letters, emails, or conversations.

    See templates →

  • Ask Access Stamp AI

    Get help applying this guide to your situation with plain-English suggestions.

Start here

Three immediate actions before you work through the full guide.

  1. 1Daily living: washing, dressing, meals, continence, moving around the home, stairs, night needs.
  2. 2Risks: falls, seizures, confusion with gas or meds, pressure injury, choking.
  3. 3Cognition and communication: needing prompts, reassurance, or advocacy.

Quick answer

Under the Care Act 2014 (England), where it appears an adult may have needs for care and support, the local authority must carry out a needs assessment — regardless of your income or savings. Needs can be physical, mental, or a combination. The assessment should involve you and be proportionate; it is not a memory test you must pass.

Step-by-step

Your progress

Step 1 of 4

Daily living: washing, dressing, meals, continence, moving around the home, stairs, night needs.

What this means

  • Prepare: Daily living: washing, dressing, meals, continence, moving around the home, stairs, night needs.
  • Check: Daily living: washing, dressing, meals, continence, moving around the home, stairs, night needs.

Practical checklist

  • Daily living: washing, dressing, meals, continence, moving around the home, stairs, night needs.
  • Prepare: Daily living: washing, dressing, meals, continence, moving around the home, stairs, night needs.
  • Check: Daily living: washing, dressing, meals, continence, moving around the home, stairs, night needs.

Example approach

Practical guidance for your situation.

Ask the AI: Help me with step 1 (Daily living) for Care Act assessments: eligibility, wellbeing, and delays

You're making progress

You've completed 0 of 4 steps in this guide.

Evidence checklist

Keep or gather these before you contact an organisation or submit a form.

  • Daily living: washing, dressing, meals, continence, moving around the home, stairs, night needs.
  • Risks: falls, seizures, confusion with gas or meds, pressure injury, choking.
  • Cognition and communication: needing prompts, reassurance, or advocacy.
  • Carer breakdown: if an unpaid carer cannot continue safely, say so plainly.

Common mistakes

  • Daily living: washing, dressing, meals, continence, moving around the home, stairs, night needs.
  • Risks: falls, seizures, confusion with gas or meds, pressure injury, choking.
  • Cognition and communication: needing prompts, reassurance, or advocacy.
  • Carer breakdown: if an unpaid carer cannot continue safely, say so plainly.

If they refuse, delay, or ignore you

  • Keep notes and ask for decisions in writing.
  • Use the related detailed guide when you are ready for the next step.

Access Stamp AI

Need help applying "Care Act assessments: eligibility, wellbeing, and delays" to your situation? Ask about any step, evidence, or wording below.

Guide summary

  • Daily living: washing, dressing, meals, continence, moving around the home, stairs, night needs.
  • Risks: falls, seizures, confusion with gas or meds, pressure injury, choking.
  • Cognition and communication: needing prompts, reassurance, or advocacy.
  • Carer breakdown: if an unpaid carer cannot continue safely, say so plainly.

Helpful templates

Use the step checklists in this guide, or ask the AI to draft wording for your situation.

  • Copy example wording from any expanded step
  • Use the practical checklist before moving on
  • Ask the AI to tailor a letter or email

At a glance

  • Daily living: washing, dressing, meals, continence, moving around the home, stairs, night needs.
  • Risks: falls, seizures, confusion with gas or meds, pressure injury, choking.
  • Cognition and communication: needing prompts, reassurance, or advocacy.
  • Daily living: washing, dressing, meals, continence, moving around the home, stairs, night needs.
  • Risks: falls, seizures, confusion with gas or meds, pressure injury, choking.

Official guidance

Need personalised help?

Ask the AI assistant for tailored advice based on your situation.