What happens if I cannot care for someone any more?

If you currently care for someone, because they cannot look after themselves, but you think you cannot cope any more, you can ask for a carer's assessment.

What is a carer’s assessment?

An assessment gives you the opportunity to talk about your current circumstances, what you do as a carer, what support you may already have, and any issues you are concerned about.

A member of staff would meet with you to discuss these areas and decide with you whether any action is needed. In many cases, this meeting will provide enough information for us to be able to sort out the right support to meet your needs.

In some circumstances, it may be that a more in depth assessment is required. This assessment will be undertaken by a care manager / social worker. It may involve a number of meetings with you, and possibly the person you care for, to look at what support and services are going to be of assistance.

The purpose of a carer's assessment is to find out about the care you currently provide, how we can support you and what your needs are as a carer.

Who can have an assessment?

The main criteria are that:

• the carer should be caring for a person who is eligible for community care services, and
• the carer’s role is ‘substantial and regular’

It is not necessary for the person you care for to have an assessment or receive any services, although they may well have done. It is also not necessary for you to live with the person you care for.

What happens after the assessment?

This depends on what you and the member of staff undertaking the assessment agree are the outcomes. Some examples are:

• services are provided to the person you care for
• you are provided with additional information, or
• you are put in touch with organisations that can offer you support

How can an assessment be requested?

The carers support workers at the local carers' centres and carers projects can put you in touch with the right social work team to deal with your request.

Alternatively, if you already have contact with a care manager, social worker or other member of the community care team, you can speak to them directly about a carer's assessment.

What happens if I am not satisfied?

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the assessment or its outcomes discuss this with the member of staff you meet with or if you are still not satisfied request a form for the Council’s complaints procedure.

You may also want to contact your local carers project who can offer advice and support.

Our leaflet gives information on carer's assessment:

• Carer's Assessment leaflet (pdf 168kb)

Alternative types of care

• Sheltered housing
  Offers accommodation with a scheme manager or warden living on the premises or nearby. They can be contacted through an alarm system. Some are designed specifically for people with disabilities and may have specialised facilities and specially trained staff to provide care.
• Very sheltered housing
  Offers a greater level of care. It can be ideal for people who are less able to manage on their own, but who do not need the level of care available in a residential home. Services offered can vary, but meals and some personal care are often provided.
• Care home (residential or nursing)
  Offers a level of support that cannot be provided in the home. There are different types of care homes. Some offer full time nursing care, others support people with a specific disability or medical need.