Carers Assessment

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What does this mean?

What does this include?

How do I get an assessment

New Legislation - The Carers Equal Opportunities 2004 strengthens the rights of carers. The local authority has a duty to inform carers of their right to a carers assessment.

What does this mean?

If you are a carer, you may have the right to ask Social Services for your own assessment of needs, which may lead to services for yourself, which in turn will help with your own health and well-being.

The assessment is a discussion about yourself, your own life and how you are managing. It can be considered alongside an assessment of the person you care for, or it can be treated completely separately. Whichever way you wish, carers now have the right to an independent assessment even when the person they care for refuses a community care assessment.

• Services can be provided directly for the carer, although sometimes these services may be charged for
• Systems for direct payments and or voucher schemes can be set up.
• Young people aged 16 and 17 who carers, can have an assessment, and receive direct payments
• Parents of disabled children and young carer can be assessed, as part of a family assessment by the children's service

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What does this include?

The types of services that can be arranged for carers are designed to support the carer in their caring role and may include:

• A referral to the carers support service, for information advice and emotional support.
• Referral to Care Management for a Community Care Assessment / Re assessment of the cared for person's needs.
• Referral to the Carer relief Sitting service or the Carers Flexible breaks service.
• Limited help with some domestic tasks.
• Support to access education, training and leisure activities.
• Access to local carers support groups/ activities and training events.

The above are given as examples of types of service . Each carers assessment should be individually tailored to meet the individual needs of the carer.

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How do I get an assessment?

If you wish to request a carers assessment, contact your local Customer Service Centre.

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