Carers Assessments
Carer’s Assessments
One of the best ways to access support is to have a Carer’s Assessment, which is available to any carer over the age of 18. Young carers can access their own assessment though the service offered by Action for Young Carers (Tel 01205 358834).
The assessment gives you a chance to express your feelings and needs as a carer. It does not judge your ability to care for your spouse, relative or friend.
What is a Carers Assessment?
The assessment takes up to a couple of hours by a dedicated carer support worker. It consists of answering questions on the impact on your life of caring for someone. It can reveal a lot to you as to how your life is affected by caring and what can be done to support you.
It can be carried out either in your own home, or elsewhere if preferred, by an agency which is a member of the Partnership; for example, Rethink. These agencies are known within the partnership as Trusted Assessors and their support workers have had training in how to complete the assessments.
The assessment can also be carried out by a member of the well established County Council Carers Team, and is carried out over the telephone.
Why should I have one?
During the assessment, the assessor can identify and suggest ways of obtaining any support needed and, if agreed with the carer and cared for, assist in organising it.
Alternatively, the carer can carry out a self assessment, either paper-based or online, and then return the completed paperwork to the Assessment Team for checking and processing.
What is a Personal Budget?
One further possible outcome of the assessment is that you may be granted a personal budget to spend on agreed help, support or therapy for you as a carer.
This could be a course of massage, a short time away from home for yourself, with or without the person you care for, or whatever you agree with the assessor is acceptable and needed.
How do I get an Assessment?
If you wish to have an assessment, you should contact the Carers Team on 01522 782224.
