As a Carer you have the right to have your views taken into account when the person you care for is being assessed. You can have a separate assessment: this is called an Assessment of Carers Needs. You can ask for your own assessment at any time, even if the person you care for does not want an assessment or services.
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The Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 entitles Carers, who provide or intend to provide regular and substantial care to someone who has a community care assessment and a care plan, to have an assessment of their own needs.
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The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 extended the rights of Carers to an assessment of their caring needs, even when the person they are caring for refuses to be assessed, and gave powers to local authorities to provide services directly to Carers.
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The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 places a duty on local authorities to ensure carers receive information about their right to an assessment. The assessment must take into account the Carer’s wishes in relation to participating in leisure, education, training and work activities. The Act makes provision for cooperation between local authorities and other public authorities in relation to the planning and provision of services that may support Carers.
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The Work and Families Act 2006 gives Carers the right to flexible working.
All Carers providing or intending to provide substantial and regular care will be offered an assessment of their caring needs by the local authority. The purpose of that assessment will be to identify the individual’s requirements and possible ways to meet those needs. It will look at any needs relating to maintaining the Carers health and quality of life and consider whether the Carer wants to work, undertake training or access leisure opportunities.
Carers will have the opportunity to talk through and agree their needs for support. Not all the needs identified will necessarily be eligible to be met by services provided by the local authority but different options for meeting needs will be explored as part of the assessment and care planning process.
An assessment is not about your ability to care but looks at ways in which you can best be helped in your caring role.
This support can help you to continue with your caring responsibilities, maintain your own health and well-being or help you when you can no longer continue the caring role. It is your choice whether you have a separate assessment of your needs or a joint assessment with the person you care for. A joint assessment is when your views and needs are taken into account when the person you care for is being assessed.
You do not have to have an assessment of your needs as a Carer. If you choose not to have an assessment, it does not stop the person you care for receiving services.
If you have not had a Carers Assessment, or would like a review, CSWW can make a referral for you, if you wish, via the Social Care Help Desk, the Community Mental Health Teams or Children and Families Team. If you would like to know more, please contact us.