Get a carers’ assessment

Summary: This guide explains how to request a carers' assessment to understand what support you can get from Kingston as a carer.

Who is an unpaid carer?

You are an unpaid carer if you regularly provide unpaid care and support to an adult who would not manage without your help. 

This could include a variety of tasks such as washing and dressing, taking them to appointments and doing their shopping.

Carers can also be children and young people.

Learn more about the role and responsibilities of an unpaid carer.

What is a carers’ assessment

If you're taking care of someone who cannot manage without your help, you might be a carer. Kingston, in partnership with Kingston Carers' Network (KCN), offers a carers’ assessment to help tailor support specifically for you.

A carers' assessment is more than a procedure to access support; it's an opportunity for a meaningful and structured conversation about your role as a carer. 

This assessment is a chance for you to 

  • express the impact caring has on your life
  • discuss any challenges you face
  • explore the various ways you can be supported. 

During the assessment, a range of topics related to your caring role will be covered, allowing you to speak openly about your experiences, needs, and concerns. This process helps in tailoring the support to your unique circumstances, ensuring that you receive the assistance that is most beneficial to you. 

Who can ask for a carers’ assessment

 You can request the assessment if you:

  • live in Kingston
  • regularly care for someone who lives in Kingston
  • look after someone with any care needs, including physical, emotional, or mental health needs

You may not need an assessment

Contact KCN to understand the wide range of support, advice and guidance about caring available to you. While the assessment can help KCN work out your specific needs, the assessment is not necessary to access their many carers' support services.

Ask for a carers’ assessment

You must ask KCN, our partner, for a carers' assessment. You can do this either online or by phone.

Submit a request online

Complete the online application form. This is the quickest and easiest way to submit your request for assessment.

Call to ask for a carers’ assessment

If you prefer to speak to someone, call 020 3031 2757 to discuss an assessment with  a member of the team at KCN. 

They’ll take down your personal details, including your GP, and ask you a few questions about the person you look after.

You might have to wait a few months before KCN can book you in for an assessment as they’re working through a waiting list, but you can still call them for advice and guidance

After you request a carers' assessment

A member of the KCN carers' assessment team will contact you to arrange an appointment for a carers’ assessment. They will discuss your caring role and the support you need.

Prepare for the assessment

Your carers' assessment with Kingston Carers' Network (KCN) will be about an hour long. 

In this friendly and confidential session, they will explore various aspects of your role as a carer, including: 

  • your responsibilities and feelings about caring
  • whether you're able or willing to continue in your caring role 
  • your health and wellbeing 
  • your work and other responsibilities 
  • activities and interests you enjoy in your free time 

This is your chance to speak openly about the impact of your caring role

Your honest feedback is important to make sure you receive the support you need..

The assessment outcome

Once your assessment is complete, KCN will send you a letter detailing your eligible support and invite you to discuss what support you need to care for someone.

Care support plan

When you meet KCN, they will create a personalised support plan based on your unique needs and circumstances. 

Getting financial support for being a carer

What financial support you can get

Following the assessment, you might get payments that are not means-tested, these include:

  • direct payment for relief care, this lets you hire a care worker from an agency to care for your loved one while you take a break. You can use this payment for up to 72 hours each year to get relief from your caregiving duties.
  • one-off discretionary payment. You can use this payment to support your wellbeing for example, going to the cinema. This payment is not automatically granted and it will depend on your individual circumstances.

These payments aim to support your wellbeing as a carer and allow you breaks from your caring role.

Other ways KCN can help you

It's important to know that the support from Kingston Carers' Network (KCN) is not limited to those who take the assessment.

Whether or not you choose to have a carers' assessment, KCN can provide you advice, guidance, and emotional support. Their aim is to assist you in your caring journey, offering resources and help to make your role as a carer more manageable and fulfilling.

Help and support

For more information about carers' assessments or other support services available to you, visit:

Contact us

For any questions about the carers' assessment process, contact the KCN carers' assessment team.

Email:admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk

Phone : 020 3031 2757

By post :
Kingston Carers’ Network
418 Ewell Road
Tolworth
KT6 7HF

Last Modified: 14/02/2024 12:00:44