Your Right to a Carer’s Assessment

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A Carer’s Assessment is your opportunity to discuss with Carers Matter Norfolk what support or services you need. The assessment will look at how caring affects your life, including, for example, physical, mental and emotional needs, and whether you are able or willing to carry on caring.

Being a carer can affect your wellbeing and Carers Matter Norfolk have a duty to consider this. Under the Care Act you have the right to:

• Be treated with dignity and respect;
• Physical, mental and emotional wellbeing;
• Protection from abuse and neglect;
• Control over day to day life (including over your care and support);
• Work, education, training and recreation;
• Social and economic wellbeing;
• Family and personal relationships;
• Suitable living accommodation;
• Contribute to society.

You will be entitled to an assessment regardless of the amount or type of care you provide, your financial means or your level of need for support. You don’t necessarily have to live with the person you are looking after or be caring full-time to have an assessment. You may be juggling work and care and this is having a big impact on your life.

It is your choice whether you want to have a Carer’s Assessment or not. The assessment is not about judging how well you look after the cared-for person. It is giving you the opportunity to look at the things you want to achieve. It’ll cover issues such as whether you want to work, study or do more socially. It will also give you space to decide whether you are able, or willing, to provide, and continue to provide care.

You can have an assessment whether or not the person you are looking after has had a needs assessment, or if the local council have decided they are not eligible for support.  You can have an assessment separately or if you and the person you care for agree, a combined assessment of both your needs can be undertaken at the same time.  You may find it useful to talk it over with an adviser from Carers Matter Norfolk before asking for an assessment.