Assessing your needs as a carer
As a carer, you are entitled to a carer's assessment. You can have an assessment even if the person you care for refuses social care services.
A carer’s assessment is not an assessment of the care you provide, but a conversation we have with you to discuss the support you provide, the impact it has on your life and to discuss how we might help. It can be done at a time and in a place that suits you, and away from the person you’re caring for, if you prefer.
A carer's assessment is:
- voluntary - you have a right to have an assessment and it can give you access to a wider range of carer’s services
- recorded - we will give you a copy of your assessment and ask you to confirm you agree with it
- confidential - will only be used to work out how we can help you
- free - during the assessment we explain what support you can get for free and what you may be asked to pay for.
A carer's assessment is not:
- a judgement on how well you provide care, a way to make your caring role more official, or a way to make you do more
- an obligation for you to accept services that you are offered
- shared with other organisations without your permission and knowledge
- a financial assessment leading to Carer’s Allowance funding, but we can give information about benefits and entitlements you can apply for
- a form you have to fill in on your own - we can help you if you prefer.
Request a carer's assessment
To request a carer's assessment: