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.
Better Care Choices
In Camden the national 'personalisation' scheme is called Better Care Choices. The aim is to give adults (over 18) and their carers more choice and control over the care and support they receive. Adults who need support with daily activities now complete a Supported Self Assessment with a social care worker. The SSA looks at what someone is able to do and whether they need support with daily activities.
The carer will also be asked to complete some questions about the type of care provided. Your answers should only include care that you are able and willing to provide and you should make sure that the social care worker helping you with the assessment knows what you are able to do and not do. (If more than one carer is involved in the care of a person, both carers should be involved in the assessment.)
You will also be asked whether you require breaks from caring. Breaks from caring help to support you as a carer and make sure that you can continue to care as long as you want to.
What about my needs as a carer?
Carers aged 18 or over who regularly provide substantial levels of care for someone who is either entitled to, or could be entitled to, support from Adult Social Care may request their own carer needs assessment. In Camden this is called ‘Life outside Caring’, and after you have completed the carer section of the SSA you will be asked whether you would like a ‘Life outside Caring’ assessment.
This assessment looks at whether you need more information or advice, if you are worried about any health or safety issues, or if you would like to go back to work or training. The assessment will make sure that you get the advice and information you need.
In addition you will be offered the chance to apply for a payment of up to £300 to support you with your life outside caring. You will need to say how you plan to use the money and how it will support you as a carer. This payment does not affect any welfare benefits you may receive and is not affected by your income or savings.
How do I get a carer's assessment?
- Call Camden Adult Social Care Services on 020 7974 4000, or email adultsocialcare@camden.gov.uk, and tell them you would like a carer's assessment.
- Click this link to download a letter which you can complete. All you have to do is fill in your details and send it to the Information and Access Team.
- If you wish you can download Camden Carers Centre's leaflet explaining Carers Assessments in Adobe pdf format - click here.
- Camden Carers Centre will be able to give you more advice about assessments. Tel 020 7428 8950.
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 for 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 could be from Social Services but may also come from other organisations.
Contact organisations
Camden Carers Centre
Advice and support for carers.
Tel: 020 7428 8950
Advice and support for carers of people with mental health problems.
Tel: 020 3317 6702
Camden Adult Social Care, including Home Care, Occupational Therapy and OT Equipment
Tel: 020 7974 4000
CRI – Families and Partners Support Service
Support for Camden residents affected by another person's drug or alcohol use.
Tel: 0845 450 1572 (Mon-Wed)
Email: cas@cri.org.uk
Kids
Information and support for families of disabled children.
Tel: 020 7520 0405