Carers Assessment
If you are undertaking regular and substantial care you are entitled to a carers assessment.
You can have an assessment even if the person you care for is refusing Social Services.
A carers assessment will help us to look at your caring situation from your point of view and as a result we may be able to offer additional help, information, advice and services to support you as a carer. You may not be able to access some types of respite care if you do not have a carers assessment.
As a carer if you are present at the assessment of the person you care for, you will be included in a joint assessment and given the option of choosing to have your own private and personal assessment carried out away from the person that you care for if you wish. The assessment can take up to an hour.
The carers assessment is not intended to assess how well you are looking after the person you care for, only what additional help and support is needed. Having an assessment will not affect any benefits that you are claiming. However, if we think that you may be entitled to benefits that you are not claiming we will advise you to apply.
During the assessment process you will be asked about:
- Types of care you give
- How it has affected your life
- Your work, leisure and training needs
- What help, support, and services you would find helpful
The result of the assessment might be:
- Information
- Advice
- Services provided to the carer
- A change in the care plan of the service user - this allows the Care Manager to give you information and (after discussion with the person you care for) make adjustments to the care being received. These changes are intended to help you cope more easily with the day to day demands of caring for someone. Charges may be made for some services provided to service users.
Once carried out we will review the assessment annually unless your caring situation changes. If your needs change you may be offered a further assessment or you can request a new assessment at anytime you feel you need further advice, information, services or support.
You have a legal right to a carers assessment and once your needs have been assessed and agreed we have a legal responsibility to work towards meeting your needs as a carer.
To request an assessment, please talk to the care professional working with you or call Social Services Helpdesk, 01202 633902
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