caringnorthants.org.uk

Tips for Professionals
 

10 Top Tips for Professionals Carrying Out Carers Assessments

1.      Think holistic - carers’ needs won’t all be met via one avenue.

2.      Ask the carer what they most want, or what would help them most, or what would make the caring role easier. Very often it will be something small or easy to provide.

3.      Focus on outcomes, identify what the need is and look at what needs to be in place to achieve it.

4.      Use the Voluntary Sector. There are many resources etc. available via the Voluntary Sector.

5.      Are there any other carers in the family helping to support the person with an illness or disability, e.g. young carers?

6.      Link carers into the Carers’ Special Grant (resources held by both County Council and the Voluntary Sector).

7.      Think ‘prevention’ –
Think how to enable carers to cope and not allow crisis situations to develop. Many of the Voluntary Sector services are ‘preventative’ as is respite care.

8.      Is advocacy support needed by the carer or young carer?

9.      Does the assessment need to be done separately from the person with the illness or disability?

10.  Give the assessment the proper amount of time – a few more minutes at the assessment can be worth so much in terms of identifying needs and wants.

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