If you are thinking of a having a Carers Assessment carried out, we recommend that you keep a note or diary of what tasks you are doing for the person you care for, and how long each task takes you. It would also be useful to think about the following:

• Do you have to travel to the person you care for or do you live together?
• If you live together, is the house suitable for your and their needs?
• Do you get enough sleep? Is your sleep interrupted during the night?
• Is your health affected in other ways? Do you feel anxious or depressed?
• Do you have to provide physical support to help someone move around the
• house or in/out of the bed, bath or chair?
• Are you able to get out and about?
• Do you get any time for yourself to relax or enjoy hobbies/activities?
• Are your other relationships or friendships affected?
• Are you worried about finances or how much things cost?
• Are you worried you may have to give up work? Do you want to return to work?
• Is the person you care for getting enough help? Does this help give you any
• support?
• What will happen in the future if your circumstances change?

You might also want to think about what sort of services would help you? e.g.:

• Services that give you a break
• Emotional support from other Carers or people who understand
• Help with household tasks
• Help with caring tasks during the day/night
• Benefits advice
• Activities for the person you care for

Neither of these lists are exhaustive. Please contact Carers Link if you would like help to fully prepare for an assessment.

Remember, you are entitled to have someone with you during the assessment if you would like extra support.  You are also entitled to have your assessment completed by a Social Worker not involved in the care or support of the person you care-for if you think that this may be a conflict of interest.  For more information about your rights, please read here.

You should be kept informed at all stages of the assessment process and whilst waiting for the assessment to take place, services can be put in place to meet immediate needs.

Note that when deciding services, the Social Work Department is only required to meet the needs that no-one else is willing to meet. If you feel unable to provide an element of care, or if you do not want to do so, this must be made clear to the person carrying out the assessment. Remember that caring for another adult is a choice. In addition to providing support to those who provide care, we will also support you if you decide you are unable or unwilling to either start caring or continue to do so.