Local Authority 'Needs Assessments' For Carers

jeanniej

Does anyone know or have any experience of having one of these?

Currently getting income support top up along with CA and wondering if these are compulsory if suggested to me by income support as part of a work focused interview. I am a full time carer.

Also (according to the jobcentre and others with caring responsibilities have told me the same) that these WFI's are now conducted every 4-8 weeks at the start of a claim for IS.

pmlindyloo

jeanniej wrote: »

Does anyone know or have any experience of having one of these?

Currently getting income support top up along with CA and wondering if these are compulsory if suggested to me by income support as part of a work focused interview. I am a full time carer.

Also (according to the jobcentre and others with caring responsibilities have told me the same) that these WFI's are now conducted every 4-8 weeks at the start of a claim for IS.

Carers needs assessments are part of new legislation that came into force in April 2015.

You can read about it here:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/23/section/10/enacted

Then click on 'next' at the bottom and it says that if the carer does not want an assessment then the LA does not have to provide one.

However, reading the first part suggests that if the LA believes that there is some reason that the carer/cared for is assessed then they can do.

On the face of it (you can google for more information) it appears that it is an interview to offer help/support to the carer.

Would be interesting to know if anyone has had one.

nannytone_2

i dont understand why you wouldn't want a carers assessment.
they are carried out through social services and highlight any needs that you or the person care for have, that they might be able to assist you with

pmlindyloo

nannytone wrote: »

i dont understand why you wouldn't want a carers assessment.
they are carried out through social services and highlight any needs that you or the person care for have, that they might be able to assist you with

It seems under the new legislation that the needs assessment for carers is carried out by the council although there is bound to be cross referral to other agencies.

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/Pages/carers-assessment.aspx

Beeworried

I had one in December as I was looking after my Husband. It was done over the phone to see if we needed any help, there were various schemes to help carers such as someone to come round and give the carer a couple of hours off and they even had a fund where they could supply things like a laptop or fund classes to give you a break. Sent us loads of stuff by snail mail about services for carer and other organisations that offer help as well.

kittykat17

When I was caring for my mother I had 2 or 3 assessments for my needs. Thanks to this I was offered 2 x sitting services a week so that I could attend college on one day and have time for myself on another. These were carried out by social services via the Council. Also they requested a grant for a new laptop for me from Carers UK to help with my studies. It's well worth having the assessment because without one you are less likely to get all the help you need. Good luck.