Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much time it took on average to complete an assessment of an individual's social care needs (a) nationally, (b) in West Yorkshire and (c) in Hemsworth constituency in 2018.

The Department has not made an estimate of how much time it took on average to complete an assessment of an individual’s social care needs nationally, in West Yorkshire or in Hemsworth constituency in 2018.

The Care Act 2014 states that where a person is assessed as having eligible care and support needs, these must be met by their local authority. From the person or carer’s very first contact with the local authority, they must be given as much information as possible about the assessment process, as early as possible, to ensure a personalised approach to the assessment.

The guidance states an assessment should be carried out over an appropriate and reasonable timescale taking into account the urgency of needs and a consideration of any fluctuation in those needs. Local authorities should inform the individual of an indicative timescale over which their assessment will be conducted and keep the person informed throughout the assessment process.