Carer's assessment
A Carer's Assessment is for carers aged 18+ old who are looking after another adult, aged 18+, who is disabled, ill or elderly. It is all about you as a carer.
The council can help identify a range of services to help carers manage well and continue in their caring role, including:
- carer's relief
- respite
- one-off or regular direct payments.
What is a carer's assessment?
A carer’s assessment is used to look at your role as an unpaid carer and the impact that your caring role has on the things you do and the things you would like to do.
It is completely separate from any assessments that may be carried out for the person you care for, though for convenience it may be conducted at the same time.
It will be used to determine the level of support and care that you, as an unpaid carer, may be entitled to receive.
Who can get a carer’s assessment?
A carer’s assessment is for adults aged 18 and over who are looking after another adult (or adults) aged 18 or over who is disabled, ill or elderly.
If you are sharing caring responsibilities with another person, or more than one person, including a child under 18, you can each have a carer’s assessment.
As an unpaid carer, you will be entitled to an assessment regardless of the amount or type of care you provide, your financial means or your level of need for support.
You don’t necessarily have to live with the person you are looking after or be caring full-time to have a carer’s assessment.
How can I get a carer’s assessment?
Carers Centre Tower Hamlets (The Carers Centre) can help you complete the carers assessment. They can be contacted on 020 7790 1765.
If the person you care for is in contact with Adult Social Care, a social worker may conduct a carer’s assessment with you.
How do I prepare for a carer’s assessment?
The assessment will be a conversation between yourself and the person completing it and will look at a number of areas. To prepare for the conversation, you may wish to consider the following:
- You and your background
- Emergency planning – what arrangements may be put in place to help the person you care for if you are suddenly unable to do so?
- Understanding your caring role – what tasks do you carry out and how much time do they take?
- What strengths and challenges you face – including what works well and what do you find difficult or stressful
The assessment will also look to assess the level of impact your caring role has in a number of areas, as well as considering whether family, friends or the community can support you.
To prepare for the assessment, you may also wish to consider whether your caring role has an impact on you:
- Keeping your home as clean and safe as you would like
- Preparing and consuming healthy and nutritious food and drinks
- Developing and maintaining relationships with friends and family (beyond the person you are providing care for)
- Accessing work, training, education, or volunteering opportunities that you may be interested in
- Using facilities or services in the community, such as public transport, shops and community services
- Having free time for recreational activities that you may wish to take part in
- Caring for others, such as a child or someone else you provide care to
- Managing your health and wellbeing, including any disabilities or health concerns you may have
The assessment itself
The law says that all assessments must be carried out in a manner that:
- is appropriate and proportionate to your needs and circumstances
- ensures that you are able to participate effectively in the assessment.
If the assessment involves a meeting, it should be carried out in a convenient and private place.
It is your choice about whether the person you care for is present or not.
Assessments can be done over the phone or online, but this should only happen if you agree.
What happens after the assessment has been carried out?
The assessment will be used to decide if you meet criteria for eligible support needs, in line with the Care Act 2014.
If you do have eligible needs, Tower Hamlets Council will arrange for you to be provided with support and care to help you in your caring role.
If you are not eligible for support under the Care Act 2014, you may be entitled to a one-off payment towards something that can help you in your caring role.
The Carers Centre will be able to provide information, advice and support to help you in your caring role, to help prevent any future need.