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Carer's RightsCaring
responsibilities can become overwhelming from time to time even more so when the
carer has been caring for many years, sometimes carers can feel they love the
person so much they will be letting them down or sound as if they are
complaining if they ask for a Carer’s assessment. This is not the case, with the
right support and help a carer can continue to care for their loved one without
it getting to the situation were the carer can become burnt- out, tired or ill
themselves. What is a
carer’s assessment? A
Carer’s assessment is an assessment of the support a carer may need to fulfil
their caring role or to continue caring. This
will and should include what help you may need i.e.
v
Whether you wish to continue caring?
v
What
Respite help you may need
v
information on benefits
v
Deciding if you wish to return to work and what support you may
need to do so.
v
What
affect your caring role has on your health or family
life.
v
What
support you may need now or in the future to continue your caring role. Who is
entitled to a carer’s assessment? The
law says you have a right to an assessment if you care for someone for
'a substantial amount of time on a
regular basis'. The
Carers and Direct Payment Act ( Who
caries out a carers assessment? You
must write to your local social services department requesting a Carer’s assessment under the Carers and Direct
Payments Act Northern Unfortunately
not all social workers are aware that you have this right. Sometimes you may
also be told that they have no services to offer you as a carer and that there
would be no point in carrying out a carer’s assessment. If this is their
response write to them requesting a carers assessment and ask them to explain
why they are refusing your assessment. Seek legal advice also as this is your
legal right in law. If the social worker carries out a carers assessment and then informs you that they have no services to offer you, ask the social worker to put this in writing to you and request that this unmet need be met the following year, Or You can request direct payments, which means you can receive payments from your local trust to pay for services you need to support you in your caring role.
Direct PaymentsWhat are
direct Payments? Direct
payments is money paid to you “the carer” by your local Trust so as you the
carer can buy services or employ someone to provide assistance/support for you
to continue caring. You
must have completed a Carer’s assessment and been assed as needing support by a
social worker from your local trust to receive direct payments.
Direct
payments are not linked to any benefits or pensions and are not means tested and
will not affect any benefit you receive. Direct payments gives carers greater
flexibility as to who, when and were the support and help you need will be
provided as you the carer become’s the employer. Some
carers find it hard to get someone to employ but you can employ a relative who
does not live in the same house as you. You
can also put adverts into your local day centers, special schools, hospitals
etc. Not
all trusts understand direct payments or offer them and carers have no legal
right to receive direct payments but they are widely available in the
What
can you use direct payments for? Respite
– you can employ someone to look after the person you care for while you go
shopping, Have your hair done, Go to a wedding or family
event The
list is endless. You can save up hours and use them for a weekend break if that
is what you need. The
person you employ can take the person you care for out, Shopping, cinema,
swimming, hospital appointments etc, while you have a bath or rest from your
caring duties.
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