Carer Assessments

A Carers Assessment is for anyone over 18 years old who is looking after another adult (over 18 years) who is disabled, ill or elderly.  It is a chance to discuss your needs and can help get you some extra support with your caring role to make life easier for you.  It is not about assessing how you care for your loved one but is designed to make sure you get any help and support you need.  You have a right to a Carers Assessment if you provide unpaid support to someone who wouldn’t manage without that help.

It is important to have a Carers Assessment so that the council have a record of your caring role and your needs, in case you need further support at a later stage.

This useful factsheet from Carers UK explains more about Carers Assessments

What does a Carers Assessment involve?

You will be asked to provide information about your caring role which is usually done by having a conversation with you about your life and the needs of the person you care for.  It helps to identify the impact that your caring role has on your health and wellbeing as well as what support you may need to help you continue as a carer. 

If you meet eligibility for carers support the assessor will work with you to identify what support may help you in your role as a carer and to create a support plan which will be reviewed every year.  A carers assessment could be over the phone or face to face, or you could complete the form online.

What could the outcome of a Carers Assessment be?

Sometimes the assessor may provide you with information and advice about activities and services that may benefit you.  You may be eligible for support such as respite from your caring role or services from community groups.  It could include a ‘one-off’ payment to you called a Carers Direct Payment which is to help you purchase a service or item that the assessment identifies as necessary to help you in your caring role.  Carers Direct Payments could be used for things such as respite, a service to help you connect with others or complimentary therapy.

How to get a Carers Assessment in Bexley

There are several ways that you can get a Carers Assessment:

• Complete the online form on Bexley Council’s website
• Call Bexley Council on 020 8303 7777 to request one 
• If you have previously contacted or used services at one of the charities below you can contact them directly to request one under the ‘One Bexley Pathways’ service
• Age UK Bexley
• Bexley Mencap
• Carers Support Bexley
• Crossroads Care South East London
• Greenwich and Bexley Hospice 
• Inspire Community Trust
• Mind in Bexley

Parent Carer Needs Assessment

A parent carer is entitled to an assessment to find out what help they need and how those needs can be met; this is known as a Parent Carer Needs Assessment.  Bexley Council have a duty to complete an assessment with you if there is a need or if you request one and it is likely it will be carried out at the same time as your child’s assessment.  

The assessment should look at:

• Your wellbeing
• Your needs for support 
• Whether it is appropriate for you to continuing providing care for your child
• Promoting the welfare of your child/children

Once the assessment is complete, a care plan will be created describing the support that you need and how you will receive that support which could range from information and signposting to services from the council or a charity.  

You can find out more information about assessments for yourself and your child on the Bexley Local Offer website 

Young Carers Assessment

If you are under 18 but have caring responsibilities the council should include you as part of the assessment they do with the person you care for.  They must find out if you wish to continue your caring responsibilities and if it is appropriate for you to continue (thinking about the impact it may have on other areas of your life such as your education, work or social activities).

If the council feel that you are eligible for support they have a duty to provide that to you or to make sure there is a good level of care and support for the person you care for that will prevent you having to give inappropriate care.

Other types of assessments

Care Needs Assessments

A care needs assessment is an assessment on the person who you care for or support, rather than yourself as a carer.  However, they can help you in your caring role as additional support may be provided for the person that you care which can help to take some of the pressure off of you as their carer.

What does a Care Needs Assessment involve?

This assessment is similar to a Carers Assessment although will likely be more in depth and explore different areas of need.  The assessor will have a conversation with your loved one, and you if they would like your support, to identify their wishes and needs.  There will be lots of different areas of conversation such as managing at home, any physical or mobility difficulties, social activities or hobbies and what they would like to happen.  

If they meet eligibility for support the assessor will work with them, and you, to identify what support may help them to meet their needs and create a support plan which will be reviewed every year.  A Care Needs Assessment could be over the phone or face to face, or you could complete the form online.

What could the outcome of a Care Needs Assessment be?

Although the way which an assessment is done might vary depending on where you live, it is based on national criteria to decide who is eligible for care and support.  The council have a legal duty to meet a person’s needs if they are eligible.  Sometimes the assessor may provide information and advice about activities and services that may benefit the person you care for, may connect you to local organisations in the community who could provide you with support or may put a package of care in place for your loved one.   

If eligible, the council can arrange some services for the person you care for or your loved one could take a Direct Payment which is for them to purchase a service or item that the assessment identifies as necessary to meet their needs (for example, they may hire a personal assistant to help them attend their social activities).  

If you are not happy with the outcome of an assessment you can try speaking to your assessor to explore the outcome of the assessment further or contacting Bexley Council to find out about their appeals process.

How to get a Care Needs Assessment in Bexley

There are several ways that you can get a Care Needs Assessment:

• Complete the online form on Bexley Council’s website
• Call Bexley Council on 020 8303 7777 to request one 
• If you have previously contacted or used services at one of the charities below you can contact them directly to request one under the ‘One Bexley Pathways’ service
• Age UK Bexley
• Bexley Mencap
• Carers Support Bexley
• Crossroads Care South East London
• Greenwich and Bexley Hospice 
• Inspire Community Trust
• Mind in Bexley

Continuing Healthcare

NHS continuing healthcare is a package of care for people whose main needs are assessed as being ‘health needs’ which is arranged and funded by the NHS.

To be eligible for continuing healthcare you must:

• have ongoing significant physical and/or mental health needs,
• and having taken account of all your needs, it can be said that the main aspects or majority part of the care you need is focused on addressing and/or preventing health needs.

You can find more information about continuing healthcare on the NHS website or in this factsheet from Age UK

What does a Continuing Healthcare Assessment involve?

This assessment usually starts with a checklist which is completed by a healthcare professional or social worker.  If the checklist identifies that you could be eligible for continuing healthcare, then a full assessment will be arranged for you which involves evidence being collected about your needs from professionals who know you.  This will be reviewed and a decision will be made which you will be informed of.

What could the outcome of a Continuing Healthcare Assessment be?

If you are eligible for continuing healthcare, then you will have a package of care agreed with you to help meet your needs.  You can also ask for a Personal Health Budget which give you the choice and control on how your package of support is arranged.

If you aren’t eligible for continuing healthcare then you may be eligible for care and support from the council which would be identified through a Care Needs Assessment.

If you think you might be eligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare speak to your GP or social worker.