Carers assessment
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As a carer you are entitled to an assessment of your own needs. Your carer's assessment is an opportunity to tell Social Care about the things that could make caring easier for you.
How can Social Care help?
Social care will carry out an assessment of the needs of the person that you care for. If they are eligible for community care we can provide practical support through services such as care at home, day services, equipment or respite services.
You can have an assessment even if the person you care for does not wish to be assessed for community care services themselves. The assessment can take place in confidence and away from the person you care for if you require.
How do I ask for an assessment?
Contact your nearest Social Care team to refer the person you care for. Ask for an assessment of your own needs at the same time.
If the person you care for is in hospital, ask hospital staff to arrange for an assessment before the person is likely to be discharged.
Before your assessment you will need to think about:
Some things you may want to think about before the assessment:
- the kind of help you already provide
- whether you are willing or able to continue caring
- what aspects of caring you find or may find stressful
- the kind of support you need to care or continue caring
- do you get enough sleep?
- do you get enough time to yourself?
- are you able to get out and about?
- are your other relationships affected?
- are you worried you may have to give up work?
- is the person you’re caring for getting enough help?
What will happen after the assessment?
You will be given your own written copy of the assessment. You will be informed about the services or information we can offer you to help you to continue to care.
You will be given clear information about what to do if you disagree with the assessment, the way it was carried out, or its outcome.
