Carer's assessment
New: did you know if you are caring for an adult you can now assess yourself online?
Go to the online carer's assessment form on Oxfordshire County Council's website.
Oxfordshire County Council may be able to help to make things easier for you as a carer if you are eligible for services.
Staff can provide services or options to the person you care for - or for you.
To work out what services would be helpful in your situation, social workers need to discuss:
- the help the person you care for needs
- the help you are giving at the moment
- the help you need to maintain your caring role
- the services your council may provide
The way this is done is called an assessment.
Your carer’s assessment is your opportunity to tell social services about the things that could make caring easier for you.
How to ask for a carer's assessment.
If the person you care for has a social worker, you can ask them to provide a carer's assessment. Contact Oxfordshire County Council at 0845 050 7666 or email scs@oxfordshire.gov.uk
If you are under 18 and looking after someone, it is important that your needs are met as well. You can ask the family's social worker for a family assessment. If you are 16 or 17, you may, in exceptional circumstances, be offered a carer's assessment.
If you are a parent-carer caring for a child with a disability, your own needs will be considered as part of a family assessment. You may also ask for a separate carer's assessment.
Who is entitled to a carer's assessment
Carers (aged 16 and over) of adults and parent carers of disabled children have a right to a carer's assessment if:
- you provide (or are intending to provide) substantial care on a regular basis where caring has a major impact on your life
- the person you care for may be eligible for support
- you ask Oxfordshire County Council for a carer's assessment
Carers of adults have a right to a carer's assessment even if the person they are caring for does not want one. You may still be eligible for specific carers' services for yourself.
You can contribute to the discussion of the needs of the person you care for. This will make sure your needs are taken into account when planning services for them.
What if I am not eligible?
If you are not eligible for services, we can still provide advice and put you in touch with other carer support organisations.
Some services or options that may be provided for the person you care for may include:
- home support services such as help with personal care, getting up, washing and dressing
- day care services or an activity to go to during the day
- use of home delivery shopping service
- a place to stay for a short time (respite) so you can have a break
- adaptations and equipment in the home
- pendant alarms and/or sensors
- relief to care - care usually provided in your home to give you a break
Services or options for the carer may include:
- referral for advice and information from carers’ organisations
- referral to other specialist groups which provide expert advice and support about health, housing, benefits and education
- someone to talk to
- referral to carers' support groups
- in certain circumstances, a carer's service such as counselling or practical assistance to relieve you in your caring role
Direct payments
- Some of these services may be in the form of direct payments.
- These are cash payments made instead of a service to give you more choice and control in how you are supported.
National organisations
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