Eligibility for care services
We receive a high volume of referrals for care services. To help us prioritise those people whose independence or wellbeing is most at risk, or who have the most urgent need for care, we use eligibility criteria. We aim to make sure everyone asking for help is dealt with fairly, and that people understand how decisions are made about allocating services.
A person's eligibility for services is decided after a formal assessment of their care needs, based on nationally set eligibility criteria. Although you may have multiple care needs, the social work practitioner completing your care needs assessment will consider all of your needs based on these criteria. The assessment considers the likely risks and consequences if you do not get social care support or services at that point of time.
We review people's assessed needs regularly, to make sure their changing needs and priority for services is updated using the eligibility criteria.
If services must be provided as a result of a statutory order, such as that from a court or Children’s Hearing, these eligibility criteria do not apply.
View our Adult and Older People Services privacy notice (PDF 297KB) to find out how information about you is gathered and used.
Eligibility criteria categories
Everyone who is assessed as needing care or support is allocated an eligibility criteria category.
There are four eligibility criteria categories:
Critical
You, or others, may be at immediate risk of serious harm or neglect or loss of independence. There may be immediate risk of your care arrangements breaking down, or your main carer being unable to continue to support you.
For example:
- your carer is ill or admitted to hospital, and you have no-one available to help
- you develop major health difficulties or have an accident, and you are unable to meet vital or most of your personal or domestic care needs
- you are a vulnerable person who has been made homeless
Substantial
You, or others, may be at substantial risk of significant harm or neglect or loss of independence. There may be substantial risk of your care arrangements breaking down, or your main carer being unable to continue to support you.
For example:
- you have a severe and enduring mental illness, which could result in you harming yourself or others and you need intensive support to help you manage
- you have significant difficulty coping with daily living routines
- you are terminally ill or have a progressive or significantly deteriorating condition and are unable to do many aspects of personal care
- you have recently been discharged from hospital after serious illness, and are unable to manage many aspects of your domestic routine causing significant risk to your independence
Moderate
You, or others, may be at moderate risk of harm or neglect or loss of independence. There may be a moderate risk that your main carer has difficulties in continuing to support you.
Low
There is a low risk to your independence, health or wellbeing with very limited, if any, need for social work services.