Adult Social Care (also known as Adult Social Services)

If you or someone in your family is aged over 18 and needs extra support to live independently, they may be able to get support from Adult Social Care which is run by Leeds City Council.

Adults who may need extra care and support include adults who:

  • are older people
  • look after a friend or relative (carers)
  • are recovering from severe illness or injury
  • have drug and alcohol problems
  • are deaf, blind or visually impaired
  • have mental health problems
  • have autism
  • have conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
  • have physical disabilities
  • have learning disabilities

You can ask for help from Adult Social Care yourself, or a professional such as a family doctor (GP) can ask for help on your behalf (this is called making a referral);

0113 222 4401 (Weekdays 9am to 5pm​​, except Wednesdays when they open from 10am.)
Adult Social Care
[email protected]

Who to contact in an adult social care emergency

If someone is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.

The Emergency Duty Team (EDT) deals with urgent calls and emails on weekends, evenings, overnight, and bank holidays. There is usually one person on duty at a time.

You can call the EDT about adults who need:

  • immediate protection from abuse, neglect, domestic violence or exploitation (safeguarding concerns)
  • urgent care and they cannot wait until the next working day
  • urgent help because their care arrangements have broken down, for example if their carer is not available or their equipment is broken
  • an urgent assessment under the mental health act

0113 378 0644
[email protected]

The Emergency Duty Team are available: Monday 5pm to 8am; Tuesday 5pm to 8am; Wednesday 5pm to 8am; Thursday 5pm to 8am; Friday 4:30pm onwards; Saturday all day, 24 hours and Sunday all day until 8am Monday. On Bank Holidays, the Emergency Duty Team are available from 5pm the day before to 8am the day after the bank holiday.

Here are some examples of help you may be able to get from adult’s social services:

  • preparing or eating food and drinks without help
  • keeping themselves and their clothes clean
  • managing toilet needs
  • getting dressed
  • moving around safely
  • keeping their home clean and safe
  • having enough contact with other people
  • taking part in activities like volunteering or learning
  • using local services, such as the buses and shops
  • caring for the people they are responsible for

You may have to pay towards some or all of the costs for the care you or your family member needs. The Council will decide how much you need to pay. Under the Care Act 2014, all councils are required to carry out an assessment if you tell them that you need care and support, even if there is a possibility you may have to pay.

Leeds Directory is a website that can help you find out more about support available from adult social services and health services. You can also find out about hundreds of local community groups and charities that can help you live independently, including hobbies, social activities, help with gardening and around the home.

Leeds Directory

You can find out more about adult social services on the Leeds City Council website or by contacting them directly.

Adult Social Care

Adult care homes

Adult social services usually try to support you to stay in your own home, which means you can be more independent and is more affordable. But if you need more support than this, there are different types of accommodation available in Leeds for adults. Here are some of the main types available.

Independent living with support

Sheltered housing and extra care housing means having a home of your own with extra support and services available if you need them.

Care homes

Care homes offer accommodation for a group of people. Most are run by a private company or by Leeds City Council. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get help with the cost of living in a residential care home from Leeds City Council.
There are two main types of care home:

  • Residential care homes offer personal care only (for example meals, washing) and you receive health care from your normal GP or nurse who visits you.
  • Nursing homes offer the same care, but they also have their own nurse on site.

There are also some care homes for specialist needs, for example for people with dementia.

Choosing a care home

If you are looking for a care home. you should make your decisions carefully. Important things to consider include:

  • how many staff there are and how welcoming the staff are
  • what the facilities are like
  • what activities there are for residents
  • how independent you can be while living there
  • what the fee is and if you get help with the costs

You can get more advice about finding a care home on the Leeds City Council website or by contacting Adult Social Care:

0113 222 4401 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Adult Social Care

All care homes in England are inspected regularly by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). You can find the report and rating for any care home on the CQC website:

CQC

Dementia

Dementia is not just being forgetful when you get older, and it is not a type of mental illness. It is the name for the symptoms caused by diseases which attack the brain. There are different types of dementia. Older people are more at risk of dementia. People under 65 can also get it, although this is quite rare.

Symptoms can include memory loss, changes in mood and behaviour, confusion, hallucinations, difficulty communicating, problems with distances and movement.

If you think you or someone you care for has dementia you should speak to a health professional such as your GP.

The Dementia Hub at Carers Leeds can also provide specialist information, advice and support for carers.

0113 380 4300
Carers Leeds

You can also find information about local services for people with dementia and their carers on the Leeds City Council website.

Dementia Care

Palliative care

Palliative care is for people living with a serious illness they will not recover from. The care usually aims to treat pain and other physical symptoms and support emotional and social needs. It includes caring for people who are near the end of their life.

Palliative care is usually provided in a hospital, in the patient’s own home or a hospice (hospices are usually run by charities and offer accommodation and care as well as support for families and friends).

Depending on the patient’s needs, the care may include medicines, therapies, counselling, activities, spiritual support. It may involve different professionals including GPs, community nurses, specialist doctors or nurses.


Last Updated: 9 January 2023

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