Your Complete Guide to Care Act 2014 Assessments
What is a Care Act Assessment?
A Care Act assessment is a legal right under the Care Act 2014. This guide explains who qualifies, what to expect, the 9 wellbeing domains assessed, and how to prepare. Learn about needs assessments, eligibility criteria, and your rights.
What's out there?
Generic care systems. Expensive enterprise software. Paper templates with no compliance checking.
None of them were designed for the way you actually work.
What a Care Act Assessment Covers
Everything you need to transform your care documentation
Legal Right to Assessment
Under Section 9 of the Care Act 2014, any adult who appears to have care and support needs has the right to an assessment. The local authority cannot refuse based on finances or perceived eligibility—everyone gets assessed.
Needs Assessment (Section 9)
The assessment identifies your care and support needs across the 9 wellbeing domains. It looks at what you can and cannot do, what support you have, and what outcomes matter to you.
Eligibility Determination
After assessment, a three-stage test determines eligibility: (1) needs from physical/mental impairment, (2) inability to achieve specified outcomes, (3) significant wellbeing impact. All three must be met.
9 Wellbeing Domains
Assessments cover: personal dignity, physical/mental health, emotional wellbeing, protection from abuse, control over daily life, participation in work/training, social/family relationships, suitable housing, and community contribution.
Carer Assessment Rights
If you provide unpaid care, you have a separate right to a carer assessment (Section 10). This looks at the impact of caring on your own wellbeing and what support would help you.
Support Planning
If eligible, the council creates a support plan. This details how your needs will be met—whether through council services, direct payments, or community resources. You must be involved in planning.
Common Questions About Care Act Assessments
Real challenges that care professionals face every day
Who can request a Care Act assessment?
Any adult who appears to have care and support needs. You can self-refer, or a family member, GP, or other professional can refer you. The council must assess anyone who appears to have needs.
Universal right
What if the council says I am not eligible?
You still get information and advice about community support. You can also request a review if circumstances change, or complain if you believe the assessment was unfair.
Know your rights
Do I have to pay for an assessment?
No. Care Act assessments are always free. Financial assessment only happens after needs are identified—and never affects whether you get assessed.
Free for everyone
How long does an assessment take?
The Care Act requires assessment within an appropriate timeframe. Most councils aim for 28 days, though complex needs may take longer. Voice-first tools like CareVoice help practitioners complete assessments faster.
Timely support
Can I have someone with me during assessment?
Yes. You can have a family member, friend, or advocate present. If you have substantial difficulty participating and no one to support you, the council must provide an independent advocate.
Supported process
What happens after the assessment?
You receive a written record of the assessment. If eligible, a support plan is created with you. If not eligible, you get information about other available help.
Clear next steps
Traditional Documentation vs CareVoice
See the difference in your daily workflow
Before CareVoice
- 2+ hours typing up assessment notes
- Manual safeguarding checks
- Generic templates requiring heavy editing
- Paper notes lost or illegible
- Inconsistent documentation quality
- Stressful CQC inspection prep
With CareVoice
- 30 minutes with voice-to-text
- AI flags concerns automatically
- Care Act compliant templates ready to use
- Secure digital storage with search
- Structured, professional reports every time
- Audit-ready documentation built-in
The Care Act Assessment Process
A simple approach to better documentation
Request an Assessment
Contact your local council adult social care team. You can self-refer or ask someone to refer on your behalf. The council must respond to all requests.
Contact council
Initial Conversation
A social worker or assessor contacts you to arrange the assessment. They may gather background information and explain what to expect.
1-2 weeks
Needs Assessment
The assessor meets with you (usually at home) to understand your needs. They ask about daily activities, health, relationships, and what outcomes matter to you.
1-2 hours
Eligibility Decision
The council applies the eligibility criteria to determine if you qualify for support. This considers need type, impact on outcomes, and effect on wellbeing.
After assessment
Support Planning
If eligible, you work with the council to create a support plan. This identifies how needs will be met—council services, direct payments, or other support.
Varies
Review and Reassessment
Your needs and support plan are reviewed regularly. You can request reassessment if circumstances change significantly.
Ongoing
Your Rights Under the Care Act
What makes CareVoice the right choice for your documentation needs
Legal Entitlement
Your legal rightThe Care Act 2014 gives you legal rights to assessment and support. Councils must meet eligible needs.
Person-Centred Approach
Your goals matterAssessments must focus on your desired outcomes, not just needs. What matters to you shapes your support plan.
Wellbeing Focus
9 wellbeing domainsThe Care Act places wellbeing at the centre. Support aims to help you live the life you want.
Carers Supported
Family includedFamily members providing care can get their own assessment and services under the Act.
What Care Professionals Say
Real feedback from social workers and care teams using CareVoice
"This platform is a brilliant step forward for making care plans and assessments faster and easier. The design is clear, the process is streamlined, and it's exactly the kind of tool that can save time while keeping everything well-organised. I can see it making a real difference for field teams. Well done to the entire brilliant team behind CareVoice"
Harriette Nyuybinni
Domicillary Care Field supervisor
"CareVoice has empowered me as a social worker working with young children. It has streamlined my workflow and provided me with reliable assistance. The detailed analysis and suggestions I receive allow me to confidently delegate my assessments, freeing up my time. Most importantly, the service is affordable, offering great value for money."
Abuh Mowoh
Social Worker, Essex County Council
"As part of our quality assurance efforts, CareVoice has helped us not only ensure compliance but also maintain high standards in line with our regulatory requirements. I really appreciate the voice capture feature and the concept of using voice recognition technology to streamline assessments. This is a very forward-thinking approach that will enhance our processes significantly."
Runya Murape
Quality Assurance Manager
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about What is a Care Act Assessment?
A Care Act assessment is a formal evaluation of an adult's care and support needs under the Care Act 2014. Conducted by local authority social workers, it determines whether you have eligible needs that the council must meet. The assessment looks at your situation across nine wellbeing domains and considers what outcomes matter to you.
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Understanding Your Care Act Rights
The Care Act 2014 applies across England. Here's how to access your assessment.
- Contact your local council adult social care team
- Self-refer or ask someone to refer you
- Assessment is free regardless of finances
- Right to have someone with you
- Written record of assessment provided
- Formal complaints process available
- Reassessment when circumstances change
- Independent advocacy if needed
Care Act Assessment Support
CareVoice helps social workers across England complete Care Act assessments efficiently.
- All English local authorities
- Adult social care teams
- Hospital discharge teams
- Community care assessors
- NHS continuing healthcare
- Independent social work
- Care management services
- Commissioned assessment providers
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