Carer's assessment
A carer's assessment is a conversation to establish the impact caring is having on an individual.
Anyone who provides care can have a carer's assessment, which can take place by video call, phone or face-to-face, depending on your preference.
A carers assessment may support you to access practical or financial help, or support with your health and wellbeing.
If you are not eligible for statutory support, we can still put you in touch with services in the borough who can help you.
You can have an assessment regardless of:
- the amount or type of care you provide
- your income
- your level of need for support.
You can also have an assessment whether or not the person you are caring for has:
- had an assessment
- been assessed and the outcome is that they are not eligible for care and support.
During a carer's assessment
We will look at how your caring affects your health and wellbeing. This includes your:
- physical, mental and emotional health
- relationships
- social activities
- goals
- work
- studies and training
- leisure.
When carrying out any assessment, we'll consider how your needs impact on other family members.
The assessment will also look at your feelings about being a carer, for example, are you able and willing to continue caring?
Once you have been assessed and we agree that your caring role has a significant impact on your health and wellbeing, a support plan will be developed or advice and information given.
The provision of advice and information is not dependent on eligibility, and we can signpost you to organisations that can provide support.
How to get an assessment
Contact us to request a carer's assessment:
- Phone: 020 7926 5555
- Email: adultsocialcare@lambeth.gov.uk
Carer’s support plan
A carer's support plan will set out:
- details of your needs
- those needs which are eligible
- which needs we will meet
- how the support will help you to achieve what is important to you.
If you are eligible for a support plan, you may be able to receive a one-off carers personal budget of up to £300.
Carers can receive a carers personal budget if:
- The carer's assessment shows that the carer’s needs cannot be met another way.
- The carer is an unpaid carer (carers allowance is not classed as payment).
- The cared for person lives in Lambeth.
Breaks for carers
All carers need time off from the physical and mental demands of caring. Many carers want to take full responsibility for the person that they care for. However, it is important that you look after yourself too.
Even a short respite can help you to return to your caring role feeling refreshed and better able to continue caring.
There is no fixed entitlement to carers' respite, and it is important to remember that arranging respite can take some time.
Respite can look like:
- a short break while your cared-for person attends an activity
- a regular break, e.g. an hour a week while someone supports the person you care for
- support with day-to-day tasks
- a longer break, e.g. a holiday.
Accessing respite
You can arrange respite care through:
- private care organisations that you pay for
- friends or family
- social services
- voluntary organisations
For some services, you need to have been referred by us. For others, you can refer yourself to the organisation.
If you are organising respite privately, you should always make sure that a provider is suitable for the care needed. If the person you care for requires personal (intimate) care, the provider must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The CQC inspects all care homes and regulated homecare agencies in England and Wales. For a named care home or agency, enter your postcode to search the CQC website for those in your area.
Carers can request respite either during a review for the cared for person, or during a carers assessment.
To discuss respite further, please call 0207 926 5555 and press 1 for Adult Services.