A carer's assessment helps you find out about things that could help you in your caring role.
As a carer, you need to look after your own health, and balance caring with other parts of your life, such as work or family.
Check if you can get a carer's assessment
You can ask for a carer's assessment at any time if:
- you're aged 18 or over
- you care for an adult who lives in Bristol
- you share the caring with other family members or friends
- you are planning on looking after an adult in Bristol
If you're under 18, see the young carer's page.
You can ask for a carer's assessment even if the person you care for doesn't get any services from us. There's no cost for a carer's assessment.
You don't need the permission of the person you're caring for to ask for a carer's assessment. You're entitled to one in your own right. It isn't a test of your ability to care.
Having a carer's assessment won't affect your right to receive a carer's allowance.
Self assessment
You can do a self assessment if you just need information, advice or simple pieces of equipment to support you in your caring role.
Fill in the pdf carer's simple assessment form (197 KB) yourself or ask the Carers Support Centre to help you.
If your needs are more complex we'll contact you to arrange a face to face assessment of those areas.
Ask for an assessment
COVID-19 and care assessments
Many of our care assessments and reviews will be by phone or video calls.
Essential visits can still happen but we'll first work with you in how this can happen in a safe way.
If the person you care for receives services from us, ask your social worker for a carer's assessment.
A social worker will arrange a meeting where you can discuss your needs and your caring role. You do not have to complete a self-assessment first.
During the assessment try to make sure you cover everything on your carer's assessment checklist.
Go through the checklist and make a note of any comments or questions you'd like to raise with the person that does your assessment. If you find the process tiring, you can ask for a break.
If the person you care for doesn't receive any services from us, fill in this pdf carer's simple assessment form (197 KB) and return it to us at integratedcarersteam@bristol.gov.uk.
Help with an assessment
A friend or family member can help you with your assessment.
If you don't have a family member or friend who you can ask, you can have someone to speak on your behalf. This is called an advocate. We can find an independent advocate to help you.
Let us know if you want an advocate, an interpreter or anyone else to support you.
What happens next
We'll contact you and work with you on a care and support plan and personal budget. These set out how your carer's needs will be met.
If you qualify for support, we'll offer you the option of receiving a direct payment. This means that you can choose to receive money so you can pay for your own support. Your social worker will explain this to you.