A Conversation About You

Caring for someone can be rewarding, but it can also affect your health, wellbeing, work, relationships and daily life.

A Carer’s Assessment is an opportunity to talk about your caring role and explore what support, information and practical help might make things easier. It focuses on you, your wellbeing, and what matters most to you.

You do not need to be receiving support yourself, and the person you care for does not need to have a care package or social care services in place for you to have an assessment.

What Happens During a Carer’s Assessment?

The assessment is a supportive conversation about:

• Your caring responsibilities and how they affect your daily life
• Your health, wellbeing and ability to continue caring
• The impact caring has on work, education, family life and relationships
• What is working well and where you may need additional support
• Information, advice and services that may help you in your caring role

Together, we will explore ways to help you maintain your own wellbeing while continuing to provide care, if that is what you want to do.

Your Right to an Assessment

If you provide unpaid care for an adult, you have the right to request a Carer’s Assessment.

You can have an assessment regardless of how much care you provide or whether the person you care for receives support from Adult Social Care.

The person you care for does not need to agree to the assessment and, where appropriate, does not need to be involved in the conversation.

Assessments Alongside the Person You Care For

If the person you care for is having a Care Needs Assessment, you may choose to have your Carer’s Assessment at the same time.

In some circumstances, both assessments can be considered together to help ensure that the needs of both the carer and the cared-for person are understood and supported. This helps us to achieve better outcomes and a more holistic approach to the care and support needs of everyone in the family.

How a Carer’s Assessment Can Help

A Carer’s Assessment can:

• Give you dedicated time to talk about your own needs
• Help identify support that may make caring easier
• Connect you to local services, advice and community support
• Explore ways to maintain your health and wellbeing
• Provide reassurance and planning for the future
• Identify whether you have eligible needs for additional support

Arranging a Carer’s Assessment

If you would like a Carer’s Assessment, please call our Caring In Devon Helpline, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm on 03456 434 435. Assessments are undertaken over the phone or in person depending on your preference. If you are unable to leave the person you care for, alternative arrangements may be available to help you take part in the assessment.