A Carers Needs Assessment is your legal right to an assessment of your needs. It is your chance to discuss what you need to help with caring with someone from the social care team. You may wish to discuss any help to maintain your own health or aspects of your life such as family issues or juggling work with care In the first instance call the Surrey County Council Contact Centre on 03456 009 009 for an initial Contact Assessment.
You have a right to a full assessment of your needs if
Your assessment is usually carried out in the presence of the person you care for. However, sometimes this makes it difficult for certain issues to be discussed. If you feel that there are issues which need to be discussed away from the person you care for, you can arrange with us to carry out your assessment in private, either at your home or a mutually convenient time and location.
It is probably wise to set aside a whole morning or afternoon when you have the assessment. Before the assessment you may also want to look at some of the forms and documents that we will use. These will give you an idea of the type of questions that we will need to ask.
The person carrying out the assessment should not assume you want to take on a caring role or continuing caring. You should be asked if you are willing to care or wish to continue to care for the person. Sometimes your own heath changes which means it may be impossible for you continue your caring role.
When the carers assessment takes place it should be a face to face discussion. You will also be given a variety of information such as details of carers groups, benefits information, and other services you may be able to use to support you. During the discussion you may also wish to look at how caring may affect your working and family life in the short as well as long term.
It is important that you try and maintain a life outside of caring for the person you care for. This may mean maintaining your work commitments, keeping in touch with friends or family, or maintaining a hobby or sport or education. Just because you are a carer does not necessarily mean you need to give these up. However it is important that all this is discussed during the assessment so the best possible help and support can be put in place.
When social care decide what help and services to provide they have to take into consideration both the carers assessment and the community care assessment of the person you care for. Social care will provide a summary of the general discussion within a care plan for the person you care for. A copy of the plan will be given to you and the person you care for.
