Northern Ireland - the services and process explained

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Northern Ireland - the services and process explained

Who is responsible for providing care services?

Northern Ireland is divided into 11 districts for local government. However, local councils here don’t provide social care.

Instead, five Health and Social Care Trusts handle both health and social care services. These trusts assess needs and deliver care to help people stay independent at home. Find the local health trust→

Community care services

Trusts provide a range of community care services, including:

  • Personal assistants and home carers to help with daily tasks like getting out of bed, bathing, and preparing meals
  • Meals on wheels
  • Day care centres
  • Respite care for when your regular carer isn’t available
  • Equipment and adaptations, like stairlifts or handrails, to make daily living easier
  • Support in nursing homes and care homes

How to get help

Support begins with a community care assessment. This is free and available to anyone, no matter their financial situation or health condition.

The assessment helps decide what care is needed and ensures you get the right funding. It’s important to have the assessment before setting up any care services—otherwise, you might miss out on financial help.

The care assessment

A social worker (called a care manager) or an occupational therapist (OT) will carry out the assessment. They’ll ask about:

  • What tasks you can do on your own.
  • What tasks you find difficult.
  • What you would like to be able to do.

It’s a good idea to have a family member or friend there to take notes. If someone supports you regularly, their needs and opinions will also be considered.

After the assessment, the Trust will create a care plan. This explains what services you need and why they will help. Sometimes, the plan may recommend moving to a residential care home or nursing home.

Who pays?

  • In-home care: Most in-home care services are free in Northern Ireland. If you qualify, the Trust will give you a direct payment to cover the care services in your plan.
    • You can use a more expensive provider or add extra hours, but you’ll need to pay the difference yourself.
    • People over 75 typically receive free home care. For those under 75, a means test may apply.
  • Care in a care home: The Trust uses a means test to work out how much you need to pay for care or nursing home fees.
    • If your capital (including savings and income) is over £23,250, you are unlikely to qualify for funding.
    • If your capital is under £23,250, you’re more likely to get financial help.
    • The value of your home may be excluded from the means test if a partner, child, or relative who is disabled or over 60 still lives there.

If you qualify for funding, you’ll receive a personal budget. This money can go directly to a bank account (called a direct payment) or the Trust can arrange and pay for care on your behalf.

How do I request an assessment?

Contact the adult social services department of your local Health and Social Care Trust. Let them know you or someone you care for needs help at home and ask for an assessment.

If the person needing care agrees, you can request the assessment on their behalf.

Finding support

Home Care Agencies: Search homecare.co.uk

Care Homes: Search carehome.co.uk

Self-Employed Carers: Use PodConnect->

Further resources

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