If you care for someone, you have the right to a Carer’s Assessment through Sefton Council. This assessment will allow us to understand the impact that your caring responsibilities have on your life and what support you may need. The assessment focuses on you, rather than the person you care for, and makes sure you are provided with the help and resources necessary to continue in your caring role while looking after your own wellbeing.
If you would like a Carer’s Assessment, please call 0345 140 0845. Our lines are open from 9am to 5.30pm Monday-Thursday and 9am to 5pm on Friday.
The assessment is available to all carers, regardless of the amount of care you provide. You do not need to live with the person you care for.
What happens during a Carer’s Assessment?
The Carer’s Assessment is a conversation designed to explore your role, the impact it has on your life, and the kind of help you might need. It can be done over the phone or face to face if you prefer.
We might ask questions about:
- How much time you spend caring each week.
- What sort of tasks do you help with.
- How your role affects your work, social life, and personal time.
- How caring impacts your physical and mental health.
- Whether your caring responsibilities are causing stress, anxiety, or exhaustion.
- What support would help you to manage better.
- Whether you need help balancing your caring role with work or other commitments.
- Your preferences for taking breaks or accessing respite care.
- What you would do in an emergency, such as if you were suddenly unable to provide care.
- How willing and able you are to carry on caring.
What happens after an assessment?
After speaking to us, we will outline any eligible needs you may have and create a support plan to help you. This support plan may include things like:
- Practical help such as respite care, support with tasks or training on how to care for someone safely.
- Services through our Adult Social Care or Children’s Social Care teams to help the person you care for, such as SEND support or minor aids and equipment for around the house.
Information, advice, guidance and signposting to local services such as support groups, counselling, or online resources.