What is Adult Social Care?

Adult Social Care is here to support people aged 18 and over to live safely, independently, and well within their community. Every local authority, including Sefton Council, has a responsibility to provide this support to residents who may need extra help in their daily lives.

In 2014, the Care Act introduced a national framework to make Adult Social Care across England more consistent, fair, and focused on people’s wellbeing. This means support is personalised—shaped around you, your strengths, your goals, and the networks you already have around you. No two people are the same, so the support offered will look different for everyone.

Here are just some of the services Adult Social Care may offer to help you live the life you choose:

• Home Care: Support with everyday tasks like bathing, cooking, cleaning, and getting ready for the day.
• Day Centres: Safe, welcoming places offering social activities, meals, and therapeutic support.
• Residential Care: Longer‑term support for people who need ongoing help in a care home or nursing home.
• Respite Care: Short‑term breaks that give carers time to rest and recharge.
• Disability Equipment and Adaptations: Items and home adjustments such as grab rails, wheelchairs, or stairlifts to help you stay independent.
• Support for Carers: Advice, guidance, emotional support, and breaks for people who look after a loved one.
• Mental Health Services: Support such as counselling or therapeutic interventions for people experiencing mental health challenges.
• Learning Disability and Autism Support: Tailored help for people with learning disabilities or autism to live independently and thrive.
• Substance Use Services: Support for individuals who are affected by drug or alcohol use.
• Advocacy Services: Independent support to help you understand your rights and make sure your voice is heard.
• Hospital Discharge and Reablement: Support to help you recover at home after leaving hospital, regain confidence, and rebuild independence.

All Adult Social Care services are monitored by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), who check that support meets national standards and that local people are receiving safe, high‑quality care.

The Care Act, introduced in 2014, is one of the most important laws shaping Adult Social Care in England. It was created to make sure care and support are fairer, more consistent, and focused on what matters most — your wellbeing.

Here’s what the Care Act helps to ensure:

A focus on wellbeing
At the heart of the Act is your wellbeing. This means recognising what’s important to you, helping you stay independent, and making sure your dignity, choices, and quality of life are always respected.

Clear duties for local authorities
Local councils must assess people’s needs and offer a range of high‑quality care and support options. This ensures everyone gets fair access to the help they need.

More personal control
The Act gives you greater choice and control over your care. This can include having a personal budget so you can shape your support in a way that fits your preferences and lifestyle.

Prevention and safeguarding
A key aim of the Act is to support people early, helping to prevent their needs from growing. It also strengthens protection for adults who may be at risk of abuse or neglect, ensuring their safety is a top priority.

Information and advice
Local authorities must provide clear, accessible information so you understand your options and can make informed decisions about your care.

Overall, the Care Act 2014 helps create a more compassionate, responsive, and person‑centred Adult Social Care system across England.

Adult Social Care is a range of support designed to help adults who may have a physical or mental disability, long‑term health condition, or age‑related needs to live as independently and safely as possible. It’s about helping you stay well, connected, and supported in a way that works for you.

You can request support by contacting your local authority. They’ll arrange a care needs assessment to understand your situation and what help might be right for you.

For Sefton residents:
Visit our Sefton Council how to get an assessment information to learn what to expect and how to start the process.

Support is tailored to your needs and can include things like:

• Help at home
• Day services
• Residential or nursing care
• Respite care
• Equipment or adaptations to help with daily tasks

Your assessment will help determine which options are right for you.

Yes — you have the right to choose. Your local authority can give you information and advice to help you find a provider that fits your needs and preferences.

If you are interested in what care options are available there is a short video to support you to understand what's available to you on What to expect from Adult Social Care pages.

If you ever feel unhappy with the care you’re receiving, you can raise your concerns directly with your care provider. If the issue isn’t resolved, you can contact the Councils complaints team.

A personal budget is the amount of money your local authority allocates to meet your assessed care needs. It gives you more choice and control over how your support is arranged and delivered.

Your care plan will be reviewed regularly to ensure it continues to meet your needs. If your situation changes at any time, you can request a review sooner.

If you’re worried that someone is at risk of harm, please contact your local authority’s safeguarding team straight away. They will look into the concern and take the appropriate steps to make sure the person is safe.

When you receive support from Adult Social Care, it’s important to know your rights. These rights are protected by law — mainly through the Care Act 2014 — and are designed to make sure you are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness at every stage of your journey.

Here are the key rights you can expect:

Right to an Assessment

If it looks like you may need care or support, you have the right to a needs assessment — no matter what your financial situation is. This is simply a conversation to understand what help you might benefit from.

Right to a Care and Support Plan

Following your assessment, you have the right to a personalised care and support plan. This plan sets out the support you’ll receive and how it will help you achieve the things that matter most to you.

Right to a Personal Budget

You have the right to know how much money is available to meet your assessed needs. This is called a personal budget, and it helps you understand your options and make choices that feel right for you.

Right to Choice and Control

Your views matter. You have the right to be involved in all decisions about your care and to shape how your support is delivered. Wherever possible, you should have full choice and control over the way your needs are met.

Right to Advocacy

If you find it difficult to be involved in the assessment or planning process and don’t have someone who can support you, you have the right to an independent advocate. Their role is to make sure your voice is heard and your wishes are represented.

Right to Safeguarding

Everyone has the right to be safe. If there are concerns that you may be at risk of abuse or neglect, Adult Social Care has a duty to act, investigate, and ensure you are protected.

Right to Information and Advice

You have the right to clear, accessible information about care and support services, how they work, and what options are available locally. This helps you make informed decisions with confidence.

Right to Continuity of Care

If you move to a new area, you have the right to continuity of care. This means your support should continue without interruption while your new local authority arranges ongoing services.

Right to Complain

If something isn’t right, you have the right to raise a concern or make a complaint. Your local authority must take this seriously and handle your complaint in a fair and timely way.

These rights are in place to make sure you receive support that is respectful, person‑centred, and focused on your wellbeing and independence.