Eligibility for care services

A person's eligibility for services is decided after a formal assessment of their care needs. We use eligibility criteria to help us prioritise those people whose independence or wellbeing is most at risk, or who have the most urgent need for care.

Although you may have multiple care needs, the social care professional completing your care needs assessment considers all of your needs based on these criteria. The assessment looks at the likely risks and consequences if you do not get social care support or services.

Your assessed needs are regularly reviewed to make sure your changing needs and priority for services continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

We apply national eligibility criteria for social work services and will provide services and Self-directed Support to individuals who meet critical and substantial levels of eligibility.

These eligibility criteria do not apply if we need to provide services because of a statutory order, such as from a court.

Eligibility criteria

Everyone who is assessed as needing care or social work support is allocated an eligibility criteria. There are four eligibility criteria categories.

Critical

You, or others, may be at immediate risk of serious harm, neglect or loss of independence. There may be an immediate need for you to receive support, risk of your care arrangements breaking down, or your main carer being unable to continue to support you.

Substantial

You, or others, may be at substantial risk of significant harm, 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 if services aren’t provided quickly.

Moderate

You, or others, may be at moderate risk of harm or loss of independence in the future. There may be a moderate risk that your main carer has difficulty in continuing to support you. There is no immediate requirement for social work services.

Low

There is a low risk to your independence, health or wellbeing with no immediate requirement for social work services.

For both moderate and low eligibility categories we will support you towards non-social work services or support that can help you safeguard and maintain your independence.