An assessment is an opportunity for you to tell us about any difficulties you may be having in looking after yourself or in remaining independent in the community.  We want to hear you views on how you are managing, what you can and cannot do and what help you feel you need.

An assessment is based on individual needs.  A social worker will visit you to talk to you and the person you care for about the help you need.  It's your opportunity to tell us about the things that could make caring easier for you.

We use the Government's 'Fair Access to Care Services' guidelines to help us to decide if you are entitled to care services.  Unfortunately, if you are assessed as 'low' or 'moderate' need or risk, you will not qualify for services, unless some quick help now will prevent substantial or critical needs developing in the next 6 months.

However, we may be able to offer you advice and some other help, or put you in touch with other organisations who may be able to help.

When the person you care for is having their assessment (or a review of their needs), as their carer you are entitled to an assessment of your own needs as well.  The 'Carers' Recognition and Services Act 1995' and 'Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000' both say that we must offer you this.

If you want, we can do your carer's assessment at the same time as the one for the person you care for.  But if you need to discuss your needs more fully (or in private), we can do a separate assessment.  If the person you care for doesn't want to have an assessment of their needs but you still feel that you would like help, you are still entitled to an assessment in your own right.