Carer Support
What is a Carer?
A carer is someone who looks after a relative, partner or friend who needs support for reasons relating to age, physical or learning disability or illness, including mental illness.Many people who are carers do not see themselves as such because, first and foremost, they may be husbands, wives, partners, parents, siblings or friends. However, by providing care and support they are in fact "carers" and, therefore, have rights.
Meeting the Needs of Carers
Caring for someone can be a very demanding role. We recognise that all carers are individuals who need different levels of help and support at different times. Many carers need help in a variety of situations. For instance, they may need a break from caring, be unwell or under stress or have financial problems. Sometimes carers and the person they look after don't always agree about the services that are needed. It is important that the wishes, feelings and needs of the carer are identified and taken into account.Identifying the Needs of the Carer
Carers’ needs can be identified in one of the following two ways:
1. Assessment together with the person being cared for. All carers should be involved and informed in matters relating to the person they help to care for. This means that when a social worker or care co-ordinator assesses the needs of the person being cared for, then the carer should be involved. In this way the carer's needs will be assessed.
For many people this involvement will satisfy their needs as carers, as the services provided will help to support them in the care they give. Sometimes, however, this is not enough, in which case, there are social workers with specific responsibility for carrying out carer assessments. (This applies to adult carers only).
2. Separately assessing the needs of the Adult Carer. Assessment is a word that can be misunderstood as it is often associated with a test - a carer assessment is not a test. A carer assessment aims to give the carer the opportunity to talk to a social worker about how their responsibility as a carer affects them in their day-to-day life.
It should then be possible to consider additional support that may be of help.
In County Durham there are social workers with specific responsibility for carrying out carer assessments. These workers see carer assessments as offering a listening service for many carers.
To receive a separate carer assessment, normally the person being cared for should first have their own individual needs assessed by us. As described briefly above, carers should be involved and informed in matters relating to the person they care for and the carer's wishes, feelings and needs should also be taken into account as part of this assessment.
Even if the person being cared for has refused their own assessment, or refused to accept help, the carer can still receive a carer's assessment.
What will the Carer Assessment look At?
If you are an adult carer and wish to have a separate carer assessment, it may be helpful to think about the following things before the assessment takes place:- Is your own health and well-being affected?
- Whether you and the person you care for are getting enough help.
- Are your other relationships significantly restricted?
- Are you able to do the things you would like to do?
- Do you get enough sleep or rest?
- The help the person you care for needs.
- The help you are providing at the moment.
- What you like and don't like about your caring role.
- The amount of care you feel you are able to provide.
- The services that may be provided.
How to apply for an Assessment
If you think you or the person you care for might need help from us contact Social Care Direct.Tell Social Care Direct about your situation. They can advise of help that may be available and, if appropriate, arrange for an assessment of your own needs.
For more information on carers please visit our Carers home page
