Carer's Assessments

To have a Carer’s Assessment the cared for person must be a Southampton resident who is disabled, ill, elderly or has issues with substance misuse. Carers are entitled to an assessment regardless of the amount or type of care they provide, their financial means or their level of need for support. Carers can have an assessment whether or not the person they care for has had a needs assessment of their own.

There are three main types of assessments:

• Adult Carer’s Assessment for an adult who is caring for an adult
• Parent Carers Needs Assessment for adults with parental responsibility (a parent or guardian) for a child who is under 18 and needs care
• Young Carers Assessment for children and young people under the age of 18 caring for an adult or another child/young person.

Adult and Parent Carer's Assessments will look at whether a carer is able and willing to carry on caring whilst a Young Carers Assessment will look at how to reduce their caring responsibilities if they are excessive or inappropriate. All types of assessments will look at how a carer can be supported.

Assessments will result in specific information for the carer as each person will need and want different things. Assessors will work with carers to ensure the assessment identifies how to support them in the way want. Examples of results from an assessment are:

• Signposting or access to social/health/cultural activities
• Support to plan for the future
• Provision of additional support for the cared for person to give the carer a break

In some circumstances an adult carer caring for an adult may be eligible for a small personal budget (not means tested) which is awarded after the assessment is completed. The budget is provided via a Direct Payment to a specifically designated Allpay bank account with a direct debit card and is expected to be used to promote the carer's wellbeing.

Anyone can refer a carer for an assessment, including the carer themselves. A referral is made by contacting Unpaid Carers Support Southampton, No Limits or the council, depending on the type of assessment needed.

If you are making a referral on behalf of a carer, it is essential that you have the consent of the carer and that you indicate this clearly on the referral form, if the referral form asks you to do so. Failure to do this will result in the referral being rejected.

The person being cared for must be a Southampton resident. The address of the cared for person will need to be given before an assessment can be made.

Unpaid Carers Support Service in Southampton (UCCS) provides Adult Carer's Assessments, for adults who are caring for an adult. They also provide information and support to all adult carers, including parent carers. The UCCS is paid for by the council and is run by Citizens Advice Southampton (CAS).

No Limits provides support to young carers (0-18) including Young Carers’ Assessments and is paid for by the council.

Parent carers can access a Parent Carer Needs Assessment by contacting the Children Resource Service within the council.

If you have the carer's consent, or are the carer, and can give information on the cared for persons residency, please make a referral using one of the links below:

• Refer a Carer - UCCS
• Young Carers in Southampton - No Limits
• Children's Resource Service request

UCSS can also be contacted by phone or email:

Phone: 023 8083 2253
Email: support@unpaidcarers.org.uk

The Unpaid Carers Support Service (UCSS) has access to the council's Client Management System (CareDirector). The Service completes and stores all information a carer gives them including a carer's Assessment and support plan in CareDirector.

Parent Carer Needs Assessments are stored in CareDirector.

Young Carers Assessments are currently stored with No Limits but in the future they may be stored in CareDirector.

A carer's Emergency/Contingency Plan can also be stored in CareDirector, if the carer has one.

If the cared for person is an adult, and the carer has a personal budget or equipment that needs returning to Adult Social Care, please phone Connect on 023 8083 3003.