Carers Assessments

Carer Information Books

Information is one of the key needs of Carers. Below you will find a range of Carers Information Books which you may download. The Information books are frequently updated. All the Carer Information Books are available in Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format) You may already have this piece of software  on your PC, however if you don't you may download it free of charge by  clicking here. The instillation process is very simple and should not cause any problems to your PC. Once you have installed the software simply run your mouse pointer over one of the pictures below to find out more about the book  and click on the publication of your choice. The publication will then be downloaded onto your PC for you to either view on screen or print a copy out using your printer. Our thanks goes to the local Carers Support Projects and other statutory and voluntary groups that exist across Surrey for their help in developing these information books.

On April 1st 2001  The Carers & Disabled Children's Act came into force.  The act is to support Carers and maintain health and well being. The act also gives councils the power to supply certain services direct to carers following an assessment of need. Carers who are, or intend to provide substantial and regular care for someone should ask their local Social Care Team for a Carers Assessment. The words substantial and regular care are not clearly defined in the act, however if your caring role has an significant impact in your life you may be eligible for a Carers Assessment. You do not have to be living with the person you care for to receive an assessment.

You may also ask for an assessment if you are going to provide substantial and regular care in the near future, for example when someone is about to be discharged from hospital who will need care once they are home.

The assessment is sometime carried out in the presence of the person you care for. However sometimes it is difficult for certain issues to be discussed in this way. If you feel that there are issues which need to be discussed away from the person you care for make arrangements for the Care Manager or Social Worker to carry out the assessment in private, either at your home or a mutually convenient time and location where you can have a private discussion. In many instances the most effective way for an Carers Assessment to take place is when the person you are caring for has their assessment. However one of the key aspects of The Carers & Disabled Children's Act is that if the person you care for refuses an assessment you may still have a Carers Assessment.

The Carers Assessment discussion between you and the Care Manager or Social Worker should be carried out face to face and will take a hour or so of your time.

The Carers Assessment may take into account the carers needs when decisions are made about the type of services which will best meet the needs of the person who is cared for. For example if the person who is cared for has to have help from the carer to get in and out of the bath, The Carers Assessment may highlight the need for bath aids as the carer has a back problem. The assessment should also take into account if you work or study full or part time. Just because you care it does not necessarily mean you have to give these up The assessment may also highlight the need for the carer to take a short term break (respite). The Social Worker or Care Manager may then look at the provision of additional services to provide those breaks.

A short term break can be provided in a number of ways. Short Term Breaks  can be arranged via the Care Manager or Social Worker. Breaks may also be arranged via Carer Break Vouchers or Direct Payments For Carers.

You may have been caring for sometime,  and your caring situation has changed or is becoming more difficult either physically or emotionally. In these cases it is worth remembering you may ask for a re-assessment.

Carers Assessment Form (Children's Services) (pdf doc)

Carers Assessment 24 hour Diary (Children's Services) (pdf doc)

Carers Assessments for Young Carers and Parent Carers (pdf doc)

Carers Needs Assessment (Children's Services) (pdf doc)

Young Carers Assessment Form (pdf doc

Last Updated February 2006