Carers can be included in a joint assessment with a service user but they are also entitled to an independent assessment of their own needs under the Care Act 2014.
This means that a professional can meet with you to determine any needs you may have and how services are best placed to meet these needs.
It is an assessment to see what you needs are and how you can be supported and helped as a carer.
It is not about how you carry out your caring role and it is not about testing your ability to care.
This assessment is completely confidential between you and the person assessing and can take place at a venue where you feel comfortable. This may be via a telephone conversation, within your home, a public place or any other mutually agreed location.
The agency providing the assessment and support services depends on where you live.
Who to contact
The person you care for, or support, will have a named person responsible for their care whilst in our services. They, or any other member of the team, can make a referral to carer support services in your area, or you can contact the services yourself. There are different providers in different areas as follows:
North Staffs Carers (NSC) provide support for carers. Information about how to refer can be found on the North Staffs Carers website or by telephone 01782 793100.
This applies to:
Adult and Young Carer referrals who live in Newcastle and Staffordshire Moorlands
Adult Carers in Stoke-on-Trent
Young Carers in the Stoke-on-Trent area need to be referred via The Young Carers Assessment Team; they will be the first point of contact and will carry out the initial assessment and then re-direct them back to North Staffs Carers for further support. Contact them by:
For a carers' assessment, contact Family Connect on 01952 385385 (please select option 3 when prompted). Alternatively, if the person you care for has a social worker, you can request an assessment from them.
Carers play an essential role and should be identified at first contact or as soon as possible
Identification of a carer should be a routine part of assessment
Carers views and knowledge should be routinely sought throughout assessment, care planning, intervention and review
Where there are consent issues regarding carer involvement this should be routinely re-visited
The carer should be routinely updated and involved in planning and review/discharge meetings
Treatment and strategies for medication management should be explained to carers
Carers should have access to advice re advocacy, equipment and welfare rights
Staff need to be "carer aware" and trained in carer engagement strategies
All clinical staff should receive carer awareness training
Clinical supervision should address carer engagement and awareness
The Trust should identify staff who are carer champions and who support staff and input into awareness training
A Carer Engagement Forum is in place to consider ongoing awareness and engagement issues
The Trust should have in place and review regularly practice protocols regarding confidentiality and sharing of information
Service user consent should be sought to share information and the level of information which can be shared as a routine part of assessment and re-visited regularly
Carers should be offered support and general information even when consent has not been agreed with the service user
Carers should be encouraged to share information regarding the service user as this will inform assessment, planning, intervention and review/discharge
Advance statements or directives should be routinely discussed with service users
Every team and ward has a staff member with lead responsibility for carers, although all staff are responsible for involving carers.
The Trust should ensure carers are introduced to the service and staff, with a relevant range of information available:
Carers should be provided with information about the service on first contact or as soon after as is possible
Information should explain the service and points of contact
Carers are offered an early formal appointment to hear their story and address any carer concerns
Carers should be offered information regarding therapeutic interventions, diagnosis and medication monitoring
A Trust information pack should routinely be provided to carers as part of the introductory process
The format of information provided by the Trust is flexible and regularly updated
Carers should be made aware of the PALS and complaints process
The Trust should ensure that a range of carer support is available:
The Trust can signpost you to other agencies who can offer support groups for carers in your local area.
Carers should have access to local advocacy services.
Carers should have access to 1:1 support when needed whilst the service user is in services and this will be offered through carer agencies if required, thereafter.
Carers are offered a carers assessment and where appropriate a support package which will be arranged through the local authority or signposted to other agencies who will undertake this.
Family therapy or talking therapies are offered to carers if required.
Forensic / Secure Services Carers
What is a Forensic / Secure Services Carer?
A person would consider themselves a Forensic / Secure Services Carer if:
Their loved one is in a low, medium or high secure mental health hospital
Their loved one has been in a low, medium or high secure mental health hospital, and is now receiving care from a Forensic Community Mental Health Team, or is in locked door rehabilitation
Their loved one has been in low or medium secure learning disability ward / hospital
More detailed information for Forensic / Secure Services Carers is available on the Forensic Mental Health pages.
Secure Services Toolkit
The Secure Services Toolkit has been developed by NHS England in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire. It has been co-produced by a group involving a wide range of experience and expertise, most importantly carers themselves.
The information found in the Toolkit will help explain some of the questions you may have as a Forensic / Secure Services Carer.
If you have further queries, please contact your named contact, as we welcome your involvement with your loved-ones' progress, with their consent. If you do not have a named contact, please call 0300 790 7000 and ask to speak to your loved ones’ key worker or the Ward Manager / Team Leader.
