Carers Assessments It is your right to have a Carers Assessment. If you’re over 18 and provide regular unpaid care for someone, you’re entitled to a carer’s assessment. Worcestershire Association of Carers (WAC) is the delegated authority for carrying out Carers Assessments across Worcestershire. We complete Carer’s Assessments on behalf of the Local Authority, Worcestershire County Council. You can find more information here. What is a Carers Assessment? A Carer’s Assessment is an opportunity to focus on how caring affects you, and any help you need to support you in your caring role and protect your health and wellbeing. A Carers Assessment will look at the following things: your caring role and how it affects your life and wellbeing your health – physical, mental and emotional issues your feelings and choices about caring work, study, training, leisure relationships, social activities and your goals planning for emergencies Why get a Carers Assessment? Getting a carer’s assessment could be the first step to gaining vital support. It’s your chance to focus on you, and discuss the help you need as a carer. Find out how it could make life easier for you and the person you care for. Carers assessments help identify if you have any eligible needs. ‘Eligible needs’ means if: · your caring responsibilities are affecting your mental or physical health, or risk doing so in the future, and · you can’t do one or more of the following things: · look after any children, · care for other people who you want to, · look after your home, · prepare food, eat well and look after your diet, · have personal relationships, · take part in any education, training, work or volunteering, · find time for social activities and be involved in society. For example, improving your community or helping others, and • this is impacting your wellbeing. These are the areas which need to be impacted in order for you to be eligible. If you are eligible, you may be entitled to a Personal Budget. Please note, you may not receive a Personal Budget if needs are met in another way. Financial support such as direct payments can be used to help you pay for things which have been agreed in your support plan. You may also want to consider someone speaking up for you (advocacy). Carer's support plan A carer's support plan is a plan of action for you, outlining what you can expect to happen following on from your carer's conversation with the us in the Carers Hub. The plan will look at how support can be provided to ensure you feel: Recognised and valued Have a life of your own Supported to be mentally and physically well Can care safely Carer's review Your Support Plan will be reviewed. The review offers an opportunity for you to consider whether your goals/outcomes and support identified during your carer's conversation and support plan are: still meeting your needs highlight any changes in circumstances ensuring that the caring role is sustainable, appropriate and the carers is still willing and able to continue caring Reviews will be undertaken annually (as a minimum) and as and when requested or when there is a change in circumstance. What do you need to do next? Get in touch with us. Call the helpline, 0300 012 4272 and our dedicated Carer Pathway Team will support you through the process including advice on how to prepare for the assessment. Preparing for your assessment Collect all the relevant information you’ll need: your NHS number your GP’s name, address and phone number details your email address contact details of anyone coming to the assessment with you details of the person you care for including their name, address, date of birth and NHS number. Things to think about beforehand: Make a list of the different ways you are providing support, such as offering emotional support, managing finances, helping someone with practical activities such as shopping, ensuring someone is safe from harm, or helping with personal needs such as using the bathroom. Consider how caring affects your life. Does it leave enough time for you? Does it affect your emotional wellbeing – for example, do you often feel drained or lonely? Does it affect you physically – for example, do you lose sleep or get back ache from lifting someone regularly? Has it affected your work, social life or education? If the person you care for will be present at the assessment, will you be able to speak freely about any difficulties you have? Carers UK have produced a factsheet and a video about Carers Assessments. You can find them here: Factsheet Useful Information As a Carer you have the same rights to support as the people you care for. Adult carers can be supported and assessed under the Care Act 2014 and for Parent Carers also under the Children and Families Act 2014. · A Carers Assessment is not a test of your abilities as a carer. It’s a chance to think about how your caring responsibilities affect you physically and emotionally. · Assessments are carried over the phone. In some circumstances, and there is a reason to do so, we may be able to visit you at home. Please talk to us if this is something you think you need. · It should be done at a time and place that is convenient for you. Parent Carers Assessments – If you are a parent carer and would like an assessment you can find out more here. If you have any questions or would like more information, we welcome you to contact us.