London Borough of Croydon

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Carers' assessments

As a carer living in Croydon, you are entitled to have your own needs assessed, confidentially, and independently of those of the person for whom you care. You can request an assessment by a Care Manager or social worker, if the person you care for already has one, or by contacting Social Services for Adults or, if you are under 18, Children, Youth, Families and Schools. If the person you are caring for is in hospital, you should make your request to the hospital staff before they leave.

Your assessment

A carer's assessment will look at your ability to care and continue caring but will not assume that you, as a carer, are willing to continue caring or can continue to provide the same level of support.

The right to an assessment only applies if you provide, or intend to provide, care on a substantial and regular basis. The term substantial and regular will involve looking at your individual circumstances in the following areas:

  • the tasks undertaken by the carer
  • support received from family, friends and neighbours
  • the carer's other responsibilities (eg work and family commitments)
  • the carer's emotional, mental and physical health
  • any particular stress factors

If you continue to care you have a right to a further assessment when the person you care for is being reassessed. This means having their care plan reviewed following a change in their own circumstances or your circumstances as a carer.

Your assessment meeting

Before the meeting, talk things over with the person you are caring for. Agree, as far as possible, what kind of support you both need.

  • You can have a friend or adviser at the meeting
  • It is entirely your decision as to whether or not the person you care for should be present

You may find it useful to have a note of what you do every day, and which times of the day are most stressful.

The meeting is an ideal opportunity for you to explore alternative forms of care for the person you care for, if you are unable to continue to care.

Things to think about before the assessment meeting

Your carer's assessment is your opportunity to tell us about the things that could make caring easier for you. Some things you may want to think about in discussing your situation might be:

  • Do you get enough sleep?
  • Is your health affected in any way?
  • Are you able to get out and about/follow your own interests?
  • Do you get any time for yourself?
  • Are your other relationships affected?
  • Are you worried you may have to give up work?
  • Do you want information about benefits?
  • Is the person you care for getting enough help?

Contact Details

Contact name
Social Services for Adults
Telephone
020 8726 6500
Minicom
020 8760 5797
Email
Referral.team2@croydon.gov.uk
Address
Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon CR9 3JS
Contact name
Department for Children, Young People and Learners
Telephone
020 8726 6400
Minicom
020 8760 5797
Address
Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon CR9 3JS

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