Carer's Assessment

What is a Carers Assessment?
What happens during the assessment?
What happens after the assessment?
Who can get one?
What does it cost?
How do I get it?

What is a Carers Assessment?

If you provide substantial and regular unpaid care for someone such as a relative, partner or friend, you may be entitled to a Carer's Assessment, which is separate from the Assessment of your Care Needs for the person you care for.

A Carer's Assessment is an assessment carried out to identify your needs as a carer.  This may take place in your own home and be done by a Social Worker or other professional, or it may take place in your local Carers' Centre and be done by a member of their trained staff.  The assessment focuses on you and what you need to continue your caring role.  A Care Needs Assessment should also be offered for the person you care for if they have not yet had one, or a re-assessment if their needs have changed.

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What happens during the assessment?

The person carrying out the assessment will discuss with you your caring role, and your own needs apart from caring, to understand what support you may need. 

The assessment will consider:

• Choice - whether the amount of care you provide is your choice
• Health - the impact on your own health of providing care
• Daily routines - the impact on your own domestic needs, work and relationships
• Involvement - your right to be involved in decisions made by the Social Work Department regarding the person you care for
• Your needs - your own needs for time to do other things such as leisure and social activities

 

The person carrying out the assessment will fill in forms with the information you give them and ask you to sign them. 

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What happens after the assessment?

A copy of the outcome of your assessment will be sent to you, with details of the support the Social Work Department can offer you to meet your assessed needs.  The support may include things that will benefit the person you care for and also you as their carer.  It may also include things that will benefit you directly such as training and support at a Carers Centre.

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What does it cost?

The Carer's Assessment is free. 

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How do I get it?

You can ask for a Carer's Assessment by contacting your local Social Work Department or Carers Centre.   You can also drop into your local Carers' Centre during opening hours to ask about this.  Your GP, district nurse or health visitor can also request a Carer's Assessment for you. 

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last updated 05/07/2011