What is a carer's assessment?
If you look after someone regularly, you may be able to have a carer's assessment. This looks at the care or support you provide and how it affects your life.
It is an assessment for you, the carer, not for the person you support or look after.
Why should I have a carer's assessment?
It gives you a chance to talk about:
- The support you provide
- How caring affects your life
- What you find difficult at the moment
- Any concerns you have for the future
- What support you may need to carry on caring.
How do I get a carer's assessment?
- Call Camden Social Services on 020 7974 6666 and tell them you would like a carer's assessment. They will put you in touch with the local care management team.
- Follow this link to download a letter in Rich Text Format which you can complete. If you wish you can download the letter in Adobe pdf format here. Send it to your local office (at the address on page two of the letter).
- Contact Camden Carers Centre, which will be able to give you more advice about assessments, tel 020 7388 5422.
Where will the assessment take place?
The assessment usually takes place in your own home, but if you prefer it can be done somewhere else.
Can I have someone with me?
Yes, you can choose to have another person there during the assessment. This might be a friend, relative or advocate. Some carers prefer to have the assessment carried out without the person they care for present.
What will I be asked?
You will be asked:
- What sort of things you do to support the person you care for. This might be helping them to dress or use the toilet, making sure they are safe, helping them with medicine or hospital appointments, or something else.
- How caring affects your life: how it affects your own health, if caring makes it difficult for you to work, how it affects your relationship with your family or friends, or whether you get time for yourself.
How long will the assessment take?
Assessments take about two hours but this varies from carer to carer.
It might also help if you think about things beforehand. Keep a diary for a few weeks before the assessment and make a note of what you do to help the person you care for.
What will I get from the assessment?
Carers have found that having a carer's assessment can be useful. It can help them take stock and think more clearly about their caring situation.
It can also help carers to get more practical help and support. This help could be from Social Services but may also come from other organisations.
Contact organisations
Camden Carers Centre
advice and support for carers.
Telephone: 020 7388 5422
Asian carers' line 020 7388 5520
African & Caribbean carers' line 020 7383 7156
Primary Care Development Worker 020 7383 3469
Carers Support Worker — Person Centred Planning 020 7387 4979
Camden Social Services
Telephone 020 7974 6666
Making Space
Telephone: 020 7530 6431
Support for carers of people with mental health problems
Kids
Telephone: 020 7520 0405
Information and homebased breaks for families of disabled children.