Autumn Budget 2025 – What It Means for Local People

Do you or a loved one need help with everyday tasks, support at home, or care after illness or injury? Adult social care may be able to help.

Social care is different from the treatment you receive from the NHS. While it can include some medical support, social care focuses on practical help so people can live as independently as possible. This care is usually delivered at home, in a care home, or in the community rather than at a GP practice or hospital.

Understanding what support is available – and how to pay for it – can feel overwhelming. Here are the key things you need to know.

✅ How do I get help through adult social care?

The first step is to contact your local council’s adult social care team and request an assessment.

Depending on your situation, you may receive:

A Care/Needs Assessment – if you need support yourself

A Carers Assessment – if you provide unpaid care for someone else

Discharge to Assess / Home First – if you have just left hospital and need support at home

NHS Continuing Healthcare (NHS CHC) – for people with very complex medical needs and ongoing care requirements (this involves a separate assessment)

Assessments are free, and all adults aged 18 or over are entitled to one.

✅ Who can access adult social care?

You may be able to receive support if you are:

An older person

Living with a disability or long-term condition

Recovering from illness, surgery or hospital treatment

Struggling with daily activities at home

If you have family or friends helping with your care, you may not need to pay for all services. Unpaid carers can also receive support with training, wellbeing and respite breaks.

If you qualify, your council will work with you to create a personalised care plan tailored to your needs.

✅ How do I pay for social care?

The council will carry out a financial assessment (often called a “means test”) to decide whether:

Your care will be free

You will contribute towards the cost

You will pay the full cost

This assessment looks at your income, savings, property and other financial assets.

If you qualify for financial support, your council will give you a personal budget that can be used to pay for local services.

Some people with very complex health needs may receive free NHS Continuing Healthcare. If not eligible, you may still qualify for NHS-funded nursing care, where the NHS pays for nursing support in a care home.

✅ What support can social care provide?

Local authorities are responsible for arranging care services. These may be delivered directly by the council, or by local care providers.

Support can include:

Reablement / short-term support to help people regain skills after illness or injury

Personal care – washing, dressing, getting up, using the toilet

Help with household tasks – cleaning, cooking, shopping, eating

Day services – social activities, meals, health support, meeting others

Respite care / carers breaks – short-term care so unpaid carers can take time off

Support with housing for people who are homeless and have care needs

✅ Where can I get more information?

All local authorities have an information and advice service to help you understand:

Care assessments

Eligibility and financial support

Choosing care providers

Personal budgets

Advocacy

Safeguarding concern

If you or a loved one are struggling to get the social care you need, we want to hear from you. Your experiences help us challenge local services and improve support for everyone.

📞 Contact Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
📧 information service@healthwatchcambspboro.co.uk



✅ What’s your experience?

Is getting the support you need too complicated?
Have you been refused care or struggled after hospital discharge?

Click on the link below to tell us your story or to contact Peterborough City Council
Your feedback helps services improve.

Many people looking after family members or friends are reaching breaking point due to not getting the support or recognition they need. Our advice article signposts you to local and national support to help you in your caring role.

Between April and June this year, 659 people across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough shared their experiences of local health and care services with us. Thank you to everyone who got in touch—your feedback helps us raise concerns, highlight good practice, and push for better care across the system.

Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve heard over the past three months.