Carers - What is an assessment?

The assessment is a discussion and agreement about what you need. It helps us decide what help you need and what help the person you look after needs (if they are also having an assessment).   

The assessment of your needs as a carer can include many areas depending on your age and needs and those of the person you look after. The areas of an assessment can include:   

• the care you provide and the impact this has on you; 
• what breaks (or respite) you are able to have; 
• your physical well being and safety; 
• your mental well being and relationships with others; 
• your accommodation and that of the person you look after (if different); 
• financial issues; 
• your education and training needs; 
• the current practical and emotional support you receive; 
• any other responsibilities you have as well as being a carer; 
• your future role as a carer; 
• arrangements that may be needed in an emergency; 
• your need for information and advocacy; 
• what you would like to see happen in the future (the outcomes); 
• your right to complain and see records relating to yourself; 
• arrangements to review your assessment at a later date; and 
• discussion of any charges for services and direct payments.                    

It is important that you are able to prepare for your assessment – your local Carers Association could help you with this. You need to know what the assessment is for and to think about what you would like to tell the social worker. If you are not able to prepare before the assessment, your social worker would welcome any issues you would like to raise afterwards.