Carer's assessment
As a carer, you have the right to a carer's assessment. You can request one at any time, even if the person you support chooses not to use social care services.
A carer’s assessment is a conversation with a social care worker about how your caring role affects your life and wellbeing. It’s your chance to talk about what matters to you, get helpful information, and explore support that could make things easier for you. You can choose when and where to have this conversation, including somewhere away from the person you support if that’s better for you.
What a Carer's Assessment is:
- Your choice: It’s voluntary. You have the right to an assessment, and it can help you access support.
- A record of your views: You’ll be asked to sign the assessment to show you’ve seen and agreed with it. This helps us keep in touch and check if things change.
- Confidential: Your information is private and only used to understand how we can support you.
- Free: There’s no cost for the assessment. We’ll explain what support is free and what might involve a cost.
What a Carer's Assessment is not:
- It’s not a judgement on how you care.
- It won’t make your caring role more formal or increase expectations.
- You don’t have to accept any support offered.
- Your information won’t be shared with other organisations without your permission.
- It’s not a financial assessment for Carer’s Allowance (but we can tell you about benefits you may be entitled to).
- You don’t need to fill in a form on your own—a social care worker can help
If things change
If your situation changes after you have had an assessment you can ask for a review.
Request a carer's assessment
If you care for someone in Dorset, call Carer Support Dorset
- Telephone: 0800 368 8349
- Email: admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk