If you regularly provide unpaid care or support for someone, you may be entitled to a free carer's assessment under the Care Act 2014. The assessment looks at how your caring role affects your health, wellbeing and day-to-day life, and identifies any support that could help you continue caring while maintaining your own wellbeing.
A carer’s assessment is not a measure of how well you care for someone. It is an opportunity to discuss the impact caring has on your life, identify any support you may need, and find out whether you are eligible for assistance.
The assessment will:
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A carer's assessment is available if you:
If the person you care for has not had a Care Act needs assessment, it may be possible to complete a joint assessment for both of you.
A carer's assessment can help identify support that improves your wellbeing, helps you maintain a life outside caring, and ensures your needs are recognised alongside those of the person you care for.
The assessment focuses on the impact caring has on your life and wellbeing. It is particularly helpful if you want to improve your situation or make changes to how you manage your caring role.
During the assessment, we will discuss:
The assessment can also provide information, advice and guidance about services and support available to you.
Following an assessment, you may receive information, advice and guidance, or support tailored to your needs.
Support may include:
The Short Break Service can provide a care assistant to spend time with the person you care for, for up to 20 hours per quarter, helping you take a break from your caring responsibilities.
If the person you care for requires additional support, further adult social care services may also be available.
There are three ways to access a carer's assessment:
We recommend speaking with Help & Care, Dorset Carer Service before requesting a formal assessment. You can discuss your caring role and find out about support available to you. They provide this service on our behalf.
They will:
They can also connect you with services such as:
If a formal carer's assessment would be helpful, they can refer you directly to us, meaning you only need to share your story once.
Telephone: 0303 303 0153
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm
Email: [email protected]
You can start the assessment process online using the Bridgit interactive tool and complete questions at your own pace. When you submit it, we will receive it and get in touch with you to complete the assessment.
If you are ready to have an assessment, contact Adult Social Care. An assessment can be arranged by telephone or in person.
If you do not feel ready for a formal assessment, Help & Care and Bridgit can still provide advice, information and access to support services for carers.
See what the charity Carers UK have to say about assessments - Why have a carer's assessment | Carers UK.
