Carer's Assessments

What happens afterwards?

It is important that you are able to make an informed choice about how much you do or want to take on in the future as a carer. When social services decide what help and services to provide they have to take into account the results of both your carer’s assessment and the community care assessment of the person you care for. They will summarise this in a care plan for the person you look after – a copy will be given to both of you.

Local Trusts are required to set out how they make decisions about whether or not to provide services. These are termed eligibility criteria. The needs identified in the assessments are compared against their eligibility criteria. If the needs of the person that you look after match these eligibility criteria, the Trust must provide services to meet their needs.

Social services are only required to meet the needs that no-one else is willing to meet. It is important that if you are unable or unwilling to provide care or any aspect of caring, that this should be taken into account by the local authority when deciding what services to provide. For example, you may be willing to provide the bulk of the care as long as you get a regular break or services to fit around your job. Try to be clear about what level of care you can manage. If you feel under pressure to accept inadequate services, contact Carers Northern Ireland.

Social services cannot refuse to meet a need they have identified solely on the basis that they do not have the money or other resources.

The person that you look after can refuse help from social services. This may leave you as a carer with very little or no support. If this is the case, it is important that the local authority should consider other areas of support which may ease some of the pressures of caring. For instance, help with cleaning your own house or washing could benefit you. Taxi fares may assist you to get to hospital appointments or help get you to work on time. A mobile phone could help you keep in touch and give you peace of mind. These services are examples of carers' services which will be provided to you rather than the person you care for.

Social services must make it clear which services are for you and which are for the person you are looking after.

Read more in the following sections:.

Do I qualify for a carer's assessment?
What is the purpose of the assessment?
How do I get one?
Perparing for the assessment
Checklist
What happens at the assessment?
What happens afterwards?
What if I'm not satisfied?

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