Independent · no commission from any care provider · fees published
Professionals
An independent, written view of what the care actually requires.
A thorough assessment by a registered nurse, followed by a written report you can rely on — for planning care, questioning a placement, supporting a funding application, or evidencing a decision made on somebody else behalf.
An independent view of what is really needed
When somebody is already receiving care, it is surprisingly hard to judge objectively whether it is the right level, the right type, or good enough. Families managing from a distance see snapshots. Families close by see the changes so gradually that they stop noticing them. And the people best placed to comment — the provider and the commissioner — both have an interest in the answer.
A Care Needs Assessment gives you a neutral professional view: what the needs actually are, whether the current arrangement meets them, what is missing, and what should change. It is written down, so it can be shared, discussed and, where necessary, relied upon.
What we assess
Physical health and mobility, including falls risk and skin integrity. Cognition, memory and capacity considerations. Medication and clinical management. Nutrition, hydration and weight. Continence. Communication. Mood, emotional wellbeing and social contact. Safety at home or in the setting. Night-time needs, which are almost always underestimated. And the level and consistency of support currently in place against all of the above.
What the report is used for
Deciding whether home care is still safe or a move is needed. Deciding between residential and nursing care. Challenging a placement that is not meeting the need. Supporting an NHS Continuing Healthcare claim or review. Evidencing a best-interest decision by an attorney or deputy. Supporting Court of Protection matters, care-cost projections and later-life financial planning.
How it differs from a local authority assessment
A Care Act assessment by a local authority is a statutory process leading to a decision about what that authority will arrange and fund. It is free and you should always ask for one. Our assessment is not a substitute for it: it is an independent clinical view that can sit alongside it, be used to question it, or be used where no statutory assessment applies — for example where somebody is self-funding.
- You are managing care from a distance and want an independent review
- You have concerns about the quality or level of care being provided
- You are a solicitor, attorney or deputy needing a professional assessment
- You need written evidence for a Court of Protection or best-interest decision
- A hospital discharge team has proposed a plan you are not sure about
- You are preparing for, or challenging, a funding assessment
- You need an objective view before committing to an expensive placement
What you receive for £850
In-depth assessment
A structured assessment of physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs, typically taking one to two hours.
Review of current care
Whether what is in place is suitable, consistent and safe, judged against recognised standards rather than impressions.
Written report
Findings, analysis and clear recommendations, written to a professional standard and delivered within five working days.
Funding observations
Where relevant, potential eligibility for Continuing Healthcare, Funded Nursing Care or local authority support, and what to do next.
Report target: within 5 working days
Is it time to ask for an assessment?
Five questions. No email, nothing stored. The result tells you how urgent it is, who to ring, and the words to use.
What the written report contains
- Background and the reason the assessment was requested
- How the assessment was carried out, and who contributed to it
- Findings across each area of need, in plain English
- An analysis of the nature, intensity, complexity and unpredictability of those needs
- Whether current arrangements are meeting them, and where they are not
- Risks identified, and what would reduce them
- Recommended level and type of care, with reasoning
- Funding routes that may apply and which we would pursue first
- Clear, ordered recommendations and next steps
“An independent professional assessment gave us the evidence we needed to make the right decisions for our mother long-term care.”
From request to report
Scope
We agree what the assessment is for and who will read it, because that shapes how it is written.
Gather
Relevant records, care plans and correspondence, with consent, plus input from the family where appropriate.
Assess
One to two hours in person at home, in hospital or in a care setting — or by video where that is more practical.
Report
The written report within five working days, followed by a conversation to talk through what it says.
Care Needs Assessment: your questions
Can the report be used for legal purposes?
Yes. Reports are written to a professional standard and are regularly used to support Court of Protection applications, best-interest decisions, deputyship files, Continuing Healthcare reviews and later-life planning. See for professionals.
How long does the assessment take?
The assessment itself is usually one to two hours. The written report follows within five working days.
Is this the same as a local authority care needs assessment?
No. A Care Act assessment is a free statutory process carried out by the local authority, and you should always request one. Ours is an independent clinical assessment that can sit alongside it, question it, or apply where no statutory assessment does.
Can you assess someone who is already in a care home?
Yes. We assess people in residential and nursing homes, in their own homes, and in hospital.
Will the assessment identify funding entitlements?
Where relevant it will note potential eligibility for Continuing Healthcare, Funded Nursing Care and local authority support, and set out the next steps. For a dedicated piece of work see funding support.
What if the person lacks capacity?
We assess in line with the principles of the Mental Capacity Act, involving the person as far as possible and working with whoever holds authority to consent. Attorneys and deputies commission this assessment regularly for exactly that reason.
Does the care home have to agree to the visit?
Ordinarily we would arrange the visit with the setting, with appropriate consent in place. Where a provider is unwilling to facilitate an independent assessment, that in itself is worth discussing.
Can the assessment be done remotely?
In some circumstances, yes, by video and records review. We will tell you honestly whether a remote assessment would be robust enough for what you need it for.
Will you tell us what we want to hear?
No. If the current arrangement is working well, the report will say so. An independent report is only worth having if it is capable of disagreeing with the person paying for it.
What happens after the report?
We talk it through with you, and you decide what to do. If a move is indicated, a Care Search Consultation is the usual next step; if funding is the issue, see CHC.
Related services
NHS Continuing Healthcare
Where health needs may mean the NHS should be funding the care in full.
For professionals
Independent care reports and evidence for solicitors, deputies and advisers.
Care Search Consultation
If the assessment shows a move is needed, this finds the right place.
You don’t need to know which service you need.
Just tell us what’s happening.
No pressure. No care-provider commissions. Just a conversation about what may help.