Carer’s assessment
A carer’s assessment is not an assessment of your skills as a carer. A carer’s assessment is about your wellbeing and how caring affects you. The assessment explores in detail how your role as an unpaid carer affects you physically, mentally and emotionally.
Anyone who considers themselves to be a carer and provides regular care, paid or unpaid, is entitled to have a carer's assessment:
Whether or not you live with the person you support
Whether they are a relative or friend
No matter how many hours each week you support them
Carer’s assessments can be undertaken face-to-face through a home visit (usually the home of the person you care for), online or by telephone. Assessments should always be at a time and place that is convenient for you.
The type of support available:
Practical assistance with housework, shopping or gardening.
Training in moving and handling the person you care for.
Access to equipment or alterations to your home.
Emotional support such as counselling.
Breaks from caring, such as a professional carer to look after the person you care for to give you time away from your caring responsibilities.
Respite care for the person you care for to give you a short break or holiday.
Advice about benefits you may be eligible for.
Support to improve your wellbeing, such as access to exercise classes, social activities or adult education (some authorities will only allow in-person wellbeing support).
Preparations
Carer’s assessments are undertaken by the Adult or Child Social Services department of your local authority, although sometimes assessments are contracted out to a third party.
Every application process is different. You might have to apply online initially and there may be a preliminary telephone call to gather basic details such as:
Your NHS number
Your GP’s contact details
Your email address
Details of the person you care for including their name, address, date of birth, National Insurance and NHS number.
The carer’s assessment should take at least an hour. If the person you care for is having a needs assessment, this takes about another hour.
You will receive a written copy of your carer’s assessment which will state the elements that your local authority believes you are eligible for support with. You local authority should create a support plan for you and this will include information about whether your local authority will provide you with care and support directly, or provide it to the person you care for.
Local authorities are advised not to charge carers for support, but you might have to go through a financial assessment to see if you can afford to pay for some services. Local authorities should never charge for the care and support it provides for the person you care for.
The Carer’s Assessment
It’s really important to be honest during the assessment. If the person you care for is also having a needs assessment and will be present, will you be able to speak freely? Do you both need privacy during the assessment? You might miss out on vital support if you down-play your situation or feel too intimidated to say something.
Things to think about include:
How you feel about caring and your role as a carer.
Do you have to lift or move the person you care for?
Do you have enough sleep or do you have to get up through the night to assist the person you care for?
Is your health affected? What is the mental, physical, emotional impact of caring?
Are you able to get out and about?
How does being a carer affect your work? Are you worried you may have to give up work?
Are you interested in training or adult education for yourself?
What type of care do you provide? This could be emotional support, managing finances, health care appointments, shopping, personal care such as help using the bathroom etc..
Do you have any other caring responsibilities, such as a family?
Do you have time for you? Can you continue with your hobbies and interests?
Are your other relationships affected. For example, has being a carer taken away your time to socialise?
Do you feel isolated?
Has being a carer affected your finances?
What would you do in an emergency if you were unable to care for the person you look after?
Do you have a contingency plan for emergencies? For example, some people carry details of the person they care for with them at all times or the contact details for someone who could step in.
Is the person you care for getting enough help?
Think about the different ways being a carer affects you. Being a carer can leave you physically, mentally and emotionally drained and you need to raise these issues during your assessment.
The assessor should not assume that you wish to carry on caring. You may be unable or reluctant to continue caring for the person. If you feel unable to continue to meet some or all of the person's needs, the assessor should explore alternative options to meet the needs of the cared-for person.
What to Expect
Eligibility is decided for each element, so you might be eligible for help in some areas, but not others.
For elements you are found eligible for, you could receive support in the form of help with tasks or respite from a professional carer arranged by the local authority. You can also request direct payments and arrange the support yourself.
You could also receive a one-off annual carer direct payment (sometimes called a care budget payment) to support you to have some time to look after your own wellbeing. For example, the payment could be used to go to the gym, pay for driving lessons or a break away.
The local authority will need to be satisfied that the person you care for has needs that could be met through social services in order for you to receive this payment. Payments are reviewed every 6-12 months or if there is a change in your circumstances or the circumstances of the person you care for.
If there is more than one carer looking after someone, you may both be entitled to a carer’s discretionary payment.
If you’re not eligible for support, you must still be given give information and advice about where you can go for help.
