The Care Act 2014 gave all carers a legal right to a Carer’s Assessment.
What is a Carer’s Assessment?
It’s an opportunity to find out about your situation and how caring is affecting you. It’s not a test of your ability to care, but an opportunity for the borough’s social care team to understand how you can be supported in maintaining your own health and balancing caring with other aspects of your life. The aim is to help relieve the pressure on you as a carer, and to understand and relieve the emotional, physical and practical effect caring has on your life.
Your assessment should cover:
- 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 and leisure
- relationships, social activities and your goals
- housing
- planning for emergencies
Who can have an assessment?
All carers are entitled to an assessment, as long as you are caring for an adult over 18 who lives in Stockport (if they live outside Stockport you need to contact the Local Authority area where they live).
You will be entitled to an assessment regardless of the amount or type of care you provide, your financial means or your level of need for support. You don’t necessarily have to live with the person you are looking after or be caring full-time to have an assessment.
How do I get an assessment?
From 2020, Signpost have been offering Carer’s Assessments on behalf of the council. The assessment can be held face to face or over the phone. Assessments usually last at least an hour and can be held at a time that suits you. You can have an assessment every 12 months.
For more information or to request a referral for a Carer’s Assessment, contact us via our online form or call us on 0161 442 0442. Please note that due to the high demand, we do have a waiting list for assessments.
Carers UK’s Assessment factsheet
