Carers Assessment of Need
Requesting a Carer’s Assessment of Need can be a helpful first step in getting the support you need. It gives you the chance to talk to someone about how caring affects your life, health and wellbeing.
What is a Carers Assessment of Need?
The Carers Assessment of Need looks at how caring affects your life; physically, emotionally and practically, and whether you are able or willing to continue caring. Before your assessment, you will be advised to think carefully about how the caring role affects you and what type of support you would find helpful.
The person carrying out the assessment will discuss with you any support you may receive already and consider (alongside you) what support you may need to maintain or improve your wellbeing.
A Carers Assessment of Need is not about assessing how well you are carrying out your caring role; it is solely about supporting you as a carer.
Find out more about Carers Assessment of Need at Carers UK
Who can have a Carers Assessment of Need?
If you are providing care for someone else, you are entitled to an assessment of your needs. How you access this depends on the type of caring role you have.
Any carer, regardless of the amount or type of care provided can ask for a Carers Assessment of Need. This is separate from the support needs of the person you care for, whether their needs have been assessed, and whether they receive any formal support. If someone else also provides care for the person you care for, each of you is entitled to an assessment.
You do not have to live with the person you care for to be entitled to an assessment.
If the person you care for lives in another area, contact their local council or trust to ask for a Carers Assessment of Need.
How do I ask for a Carers Assessment of Need?
Adults caring for adults:
- By completing the York Carers Centre registration form, including the Carers Assessment pages
- By contacting York Carers Centre on 01904 715 490 or emailing enquiries@yorkcarerscentre.co.uk
- If the person you care for has a social worker, or other professional, they may request one on your behalf, or do this with you. This will always be with your knowledge.
If you need assistance with completing the form, please don’t hesitate to call York Carers Centre at 01904 715 490. We’re here to help!
Parent carers caring for someone under 18:
If you are a parent carer, you can ask for a carers assessment by contacting your child’s social worker or the Council’s Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub on 01904 551 900 or emailing mash@york.gov.uk. Find out more here (scroll to Carers Assessment of Need).
Young carers:
If you are a young carer (under 18 years), you will automatically get an assessment of need when you register with York Carers Centre. You can also ask for a carers assessment by contacting the Council’s Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub on 01904 551 900 or emailing mash@york.gov.uk.
How are Carers Assessment of Need carried out in York?
All Local Authorities are responsible for ensuring Carer Assessments of Need are carried out as the law requires within the Care Act 2014.
York City Council and York Carers Centre work jointly to carry out Carers Assessments of Need and you can request an assessment from either organisation.
Because York Carers Centre and City of York Council carry out assessments your information will be shared between the organisations with your consent. If you wish your assessment to remain fully confidential (and not be shared with City of York Council), this may limit the support available to you. You will still be able to access all of our (York Carers Centre) services.
You will be contacted by a Carer Support Worker from either York Carers Centre or City of York Council, and appointments can be offered over the phone, online, at home or in the community. If the person you care for is having a Social Care Assessment, your Carers Assessment of Need may be done at the same time with the social worker you already know.
Getting ready for your assessment of need
Before your assessment you may like to think about:
• What help and information might support you in your caring role.
• Is your physical or emotional health affected by your caring role?
• Do you find your relationships are affected?
• Do you have opportunities for breaks/ leisure time?
• Are you worried about how caring will affect your work, education or training?
• What network of support do you already have in your caring role? E.g., family, friends, support groups.
• What do you feel you need for the future?
