Once you have contacted us an assessment will then be arranged at a convenient time for you and the person you care for. You will be contacted by a Social Worker or the Carers Assessment Worker for your area. The person who comes to visit you will talk to you about the type of care you and the person you care for feels is needed.  It is probably wise to set aside a whole morning or a whole afternoon when you have the assessment.
 
It is sometimes helpful to carers if this assessment can take place away from the person with care needs. We can do this if you wish. 

Carers are entitled to an assessment of their needs even if the person they are caring for does not wish to have their needs assessed.  To work out what services would be helpful in your situation, Social Care Services need to discuss:

• The help the person you care for needs
• The help you are giving at the moment
• The services that may be provided

Your carer's assessment is your opportunity to tell social services about the things that could make caring easier for you.

Some things you may want to think about:

• Do you get enough sleep?
• Is your health affected in other ways?
• Are you able to get out and about?
• Do you get any time for yourself?
• Are your other relationships affected?
• Do you want information about benefits?
• Are you worried you may have to give up work?
• Is the person you care for getting enough help?

What sort of services might help you:

• services that give you a break
• emotional support from other carers or people who understand
• help with household tasks
• help with caring tasks during the day/night 
• benefits advice 
• activities for the person you care for

However all carers are individuals and we may provide any service to you that we think will help you care or help you maintain your wellbeing. Other services that you might want to discuss with them are those that may help the person you look after.  Other things you may want social services to tell you about:

• Local or national support organisations you could contact 
• Other help you could get 
• Any charges for services
• What to do if you wish to complain

Young carers assessment
(Carers and Disabled Childrens' Act 1990 and Carers Recognition and Services Act 1995)  Young people (aged under 18) who provide care to adult family members are also entitled to an assessment of their needs.

A Parent Carer or a Carer with parental responsibility for a disabled child also has the right to have a assessment of their need.