Understanding Care Needs
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    • Home
    • PA14 Medical Certificate
    • Review Care and Support
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    • Care Needs Assessment
    • Mental Capacity
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    • About Us
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Understanding Care Needs
  • Home
  • PA14 Medical Certificate
  • Review Care and Support
  • Contact us
  • Care Needs Assessment
  • Mental Capacity
  • Services Offered
  • About Us
  • Fact Sheet (FAQ)
  • Blog
  • Privacy Policy
  • Care Cost Calculator

Independent PA14 Medical Certificate Assessments, Care Needs Assessments & Mental Capacity Assessments 

Book your free consultation.

Independent PA14 Medical Certificate Assessments, Care Needs Assessments & Mental Capacity Assessments 

Book your free consultation.

Qualified Social Workers providing PA14 probate assessments and care needs assessments nationwide

Independent PA14 Medical Certificate Assessments for Probate

Start here

PA14 Medical Certificate Assessments

 If you've been named as an executor or administrator in a will but are unable to act due to a lack of mental capacity, the Probate Registry will require a PA14 Medical Certificate confirming this. This allows another person — often a substitute executor or family member — to apply for probate in your place.


We carry out independent PA14 assessments nationwide, working directly with families and probate solicitors. Assessments are conducted face-to-face by a qualified Social Worker and Approved Mental Health Professional, with reports accepted by the Probate Registry.

Learn More about PA14 assessments

PA14 assessments are just one part of what we do. We also provide a range of independent social work assessments to support individuals and families more broadly.

Understanding Care Needs logo — independent social work assessments

Care Needs Assessment

 As we grow older, it can become harder to know when, where and how to get the right support. Everyday tasks such as washing and dressing, preparing meals, staying mobile or managing loneliness can become more difficult. Anyone can ask their council for a free needs assessment. However, if your savings are above the upper limit (£23,250 in England), you will usually pay for your own care as a “self-funder”, and many self-funders are left to find and arrange care with little guidance. We provide independent assessments, completely separate from any care provider, so you have a clear, accurate picture of your needs before you pay for care. 

Two elderly people outdoors, representing the independence a care needs assessment helps to support.

What does a Care Needs Assessment cover?

A care needs assessment looks at how well a person can manage daily living and identifies the types of support that could help them stay safe, independent, and well. It considers both physical and emotional needs, the risks a person may face, and the level of assistance required to maintain their quality of life. The goal is to build a clear picture of what someone can do independently, where they need support, and what solutions—formal or informal—may best meet those needs.


A care needs assessment typically covers:

  • Personal care needs, such as washing, dressing, toileting, and managing personal hygiene.
  • Daily living tasks, including meal preparation, eating and drinking, household tasks, and maintaining good nutrition.
  • Mobility and safety, such as moving around the home, falls risk, and safe use of equipment or aids.
  • Social and emotional wellbeing, including isolation, mental health, and ability to maintain relationships.
  • Health‑related needs, like medication management or the impact of medical conditions on daily functioning.

A social worker and elderly client talking warmly at home during a care needs assessment visit.

How Understanding Care Needs can Help?

 At Understanding Care Needs, our aim is simple: accurate, compassionate care needs assessments that make a real difference. Our assessment is independent and separate from the council’s Care Act assessment. It sets out what support is genuinely needed, with professional recommendations you can use when choosing care, whether that is help to live safely at home or a move into residential or nursing care. 

Areas we Cover

 We operate as a truly nationwide provider, delivering consistent, high-quality assessments wherever you are in England and Wales. Whether you're in London, the South West, the North, or anywhere in between, we offer the same independent, professional service  backed by a qualified social worker who understands both the wider system and the specific needs of each case.


We also have particular strength and local knowledge across the Midlands — including Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Leicestershire, Shropshire, Rutland and Derbyshire — allowing for especially swift response times in these areas.

Helping You Live a Better Life

Free Consultation to ensure the service is right for you

Free Consultation to ensure the service is right for you

Free Consultation to ensure the service is right for you

Our free 30-minute consultation is designed to provide you with social care guidance, helping to determine if our trusted assessments and services are the right fit for your needs, while ensuring that no better alternative is available to support you.

 


Highly Experienced Professional Service

Free Consultation to ensure the service is right for you

Free Consultation to ensure the service is right for you

 Every assessment is carried out personally by Ben, a qualified Social Worker and Approved Mental Health Professional registered with Social Work England, with a special focus on independent assessment and social care guidance. 

 
“Ben treats vulnerable individuals with the utmost respect and dignity.” — J.C., Google review 

Accurate assessments of Need

Free Consultation to ensure the service is right for you

Impartial and Honest Assessments

We’ll provide a thorough and accurate assessment of your needs, incorporating trusted assessments to deliver social care guidance, along with a tailored, professional recommendation for the care and support services that best suit you; whether that be care home care or home support services.


 “Our parents felt at ease with Ben and were able to share their views. I would have no hesitation in recommending Ben.” — Nicholas W-W., Google review 

Impartial and Honest Assessments

Alternative organisations Suggested where appropriate

Impartial and Honest Assessments

At Understanding Care Needs, we provide social care guidance without any affiliation to care providers or services. This independence allows us to offer trusted assessments and impartial, honest advice you can rely on every step of the way.

Alternative organisations Suggested where appropriate

Alternative organisations Suggested where appropriate

Alternative organisations Suggested where appropriate

If a more suitable service is available, we’ll promptly direct you to the right option following the initial consultation, ensuring you receive trusted assessments and social care guidance right from the start.

Care and Support Assessment

Alternative organisations Suggested where appropriate

Alternative organisations Suggested where appropriate

Once it's clear that a care needs assessment is necessary, simply schedule your appointment.  We will visit you at home to conduct the trusted assessments in person, providing you with the social care guidance you need.

Contact Us

Contact us today to schedule a free telephone consultation and take the first step toward securing the right care for you or your loved one.

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Understanding Care Needs

Proud Members of:

BASW Independent Member — British Association of Social Workers

Listed on the BASW Independents Directory 


Understanding Care Needs Ltd, registered in England and Wales, company no. 16272442. 


Registered office: 60 Tottenham Court Road, Suite 5736a, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 2EW. 


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