Carers Assessments and how to get help
These are managed by West Sussex Adults' ServicesThe Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 gives a legal right to a separate assessment for carers who provide 'regular and substantial care' for a relative, partner, friend or neighbour. The act applies to carers who are:
- adults caring for another adult
- parents of children with special needs (parent carers)
- children or young people caring for an adult or their brother or sister (young carers)
The person you care for does not have to have an assessment or receive any services themselves for you to have an assessment. You have the right to ask for a review, if you do not agree with the decision about your services or funding for services or care.
Why have an assessment?
The assessment is carried out by a Care Manager from Adults' Services and gives you the opportunity to look at your role. It is not an assessment of your ability, but rather the chance to discuss what you feel able to do and what is needed to allow you to continue to provide care.
Examples of topics you might want to discuss include:
- Equipment to make life easier for both you and the person / people you care for
- Benefits
- Counselling
- Day care services
- Help with personal care
- Holidays
- Short breaks
- Training courses
- Your work
Contact (for adults) :
Social Services, Adults' & Children's Directorate
2nd Floor
The Grange
Tower Street
Chichester PO19 1QT
Tel: 01243 777100
Tel (Out of Hours service): 01903 694422
Email: socialcare@westsussex.gov.uk
www.westsussex.gov.uk
Contact (for children and young people) :
West Sussex Children and Young People's Services
Centenary House
Durrington Lane
Worthing BN13 2QB
Tel: 0845 075 1007
For more information:
West Sussex Social and Caring information for Carers. Carers Assessment.www.ageuk.org.uk/publications whose factsheet on Local authority assessment for community care services includes information about the Carers Assessment. (Age Concern and Help the Aged merged in April 2010 and became Age UK).
www.carersuk.org - Carers UK, the voice of carers, campaigning for their rights - where there is a guide to a carer's assessment in the Information section under 'Help with caring'
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You can use this facility to search the Carers Online database for organisations in West Sussex that may be able to help you.
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