Eligibility Criteria

Update - 02/02/2012
The Council agreed in November 2011 to make changes to the Eligibility Criteria Policy (how we work out which people are able to get support from Adult Social Care). The Council has received a legal challenge to this policy and following advice, has decided to stop the implementation of the new policy.

What does this mean?

The new policy is no longer being used. The arrangements that were in place before December 2011 will continue to be used for all current and new service users. Please see below for more details on “how it is decided who is entitled for support”

Those people who are currently affected have been informed and the Council will continue to consult with service users and carers over future proposed changes to Adult Social Care. It is likely that the consultation period will commence in July/August and be completed by September 2012.

For more information, please see the press release (Rich text document)


How is it decided who is entitled to social care support?

To make sure your needs for support are assessed  fairly, Councils have to follow government guidelines on who is eligible for funded social care called "Prioritising need in the context of Putting People First: a whole system approach to eligibility for social care" [external link]. The guidelines clearly set out the rules about how to identify the level of help and support you can expect to receive depending on your individual circumstances.

If you feel you require social care support, we will carry out an assessment of your needs. As part of your assessment, you will complete a Supported Self Assessment Questionnaire. This will be used to answer the following questions:

  • Is there a risk to your independence?
  • Is there a risk to your health and safety? (for example, protecting you from harm)
  • How do you manage your daily routine? (for example, dressing, washing, preparing meals)
  • What is your involvement with family, friends and the community?


Darlington Borough Council provides support to people with the following levels of risks to their independence:

  • Critical - serious abuse or neglect, significant health problems, vital personal care needs or breakdown in living situation.
  • Substantial - abuse or neglect, health problems, some personal care needs, great difficulty with living independently in the community.
  • Moderate - some personal care needs, some difficulty with living independently in the community.

We do not provide support to people with the following risks to their independence:

  • Low - few difficulties with personal or domestic needs, or with living independently in the community. Advice, information and signposting to other agencies including other providers, voluntary or community support services will be offered to support people whose needs fall within the low category.

Every year, as recommended by the Government, eligibility rules that each local authority have followed are  reviewed to make sure that they are still being applied in a fair way to everyone who has an assessment.

For more information see the Access to Adult Social Care Support leaflet (Text version, Rich text document or Print version, PDF document) or view the Eligibility Policy for Adult Social Care (PDF document)