Urgent help: In an emergency call 999. For urgent medical help call NHS 111 or go to 111.nhs.uk. Otherwise, contact your GP. In a mental health crisis, call 111 and choose the mental health option.

Free letter templates

In short: Three free letters you can copy or download: ask for a care needs assessment, ask for a carer’s assessment, or make a complaint.

Copy a letter, or download it as a file. Fill in the parts in [square brackets]. Keep a copy and note the date you sent it.

Ask for a care needs assessment

Download this letter (free)

[Your name] [Your address] [Date] Adult Social Care [Council name and address] Dear Sir or Madam, Request for a care needs assessment I am writing to ask for a needs assessment for [me / name, date of birth, address], under section 9 of the Care Act 2014. [I / They] need help with: - [for example: washing and dressing] - [for example: cooking and eating] - [for example: moving around safely] Please contact me on [phone number] or [email] to arrange this. Please tell me how long it will take, and send the outcome in writing. [If writing for someone else: They know about and agree to this request.] Yours faithfully, [Your name]

Ask for a carer's assessment

Download this letter (free)

[Your name] [Your address] [Date] Adult Social Care [Council name and address] Dear Sir or Madam, Request for a carer's assessment I care for [name], who is my [relationship]. I am asking for a carer's assessment under section 10 of the Care Act 2014. Caring affects my [health / sleep / work / time for myself]. I would like to talk about support for me, such as breaks. Please contact me on [phone number] or [email]. Please send the outcome in writing. Yours faithfully, [Your name]

Make a complaint to the council

Download this letter (free)

[Your name] [Your address] [Date] Complaints Team [Council name and address] Dear Sir or Madam, Formal complaint: adult social care I am making a formal complaint about [what happened, for example: a delay with my needs assessment]. What happened: - On [date] I [asked for / was told] ... - Since then ... How this has affected [me / them]: ... To put this right, I would like: [for example: an assessment date within 2 weeks]. Please send me a written reply. If I am not happy with the answer, I understand I can go to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. Yours faithfully, [Your name]

Dealing with PIP too? Our PIP and Appeal Workbook walks you through it step by step. It costs £6.99. Everything else here stays free.

Need to know what to say? See How to get a care needs assessment.

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Information only. Not legal advice. Free help: Citizens Advice.

Where this applies: England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different rules.

Written by Social Care Made Easy. Last checked: 25 October 2026.