Are you a carer?
Carers look after family, partners or friends in need of help because they are ill, frail or have a disability. This may be physical, emotional or social care.
A carer may live with the person that they help, or they may be some distance away. Carers can be of any age and provide the help voluntarily. The person they help may be:
- A child or older son/daughter
- A spouse or partner
- A parent of other relative
- A brother or sister
- Someone who is not related to them
Rights for carers
If you care for someone for more than 20 hours a week, you are entitled to National Insurance contributions. Click here for further details.
If caring has a major impact on your life, then you are entitled, under the Carers' Act 1995, to have your needs as a carer assessed.
This is a separate assessment to that of the person for whom you care. The purpose is to help us understand your needs and whether we can provide you with help and support. You do not have to be the sole carer in order to ask for an assessment, and you are entitled to a carer's assessment even if the person for whoom you care has refused an assessment, or is not receiving any services.
Potential carers can also ask for an assessment if they are planning to provide care in the near future, for example, if an older relative is about to be discharged from hospital.
To find out about support for young carers click here.
What is an assessment?
This is a way of getting a clear picture of your circumstances and those of the person you care for. It takes into account the help already given, as well as aknowledging the difficulties and pressures you may be under, and looks at what help may both need.
If you would rather talk about your needs in private, please contact Adult Social Care on 01720 424 000, or you can tell us what you would like by completing a Self Assessment Form.
Potential carers can also complete a self-assessment if they are planning to start caring in the near future.
Please complete the form and return to:
Self Assessment
Adult Social Care
Council of the Isles of Scilly
Town Hall
St Mary's
TR21 OLW
Important - Please Read
Self-assessment is open to people who live within the Isles of Scilly, are 18 years of age or over, and who are not currently receiving any support from the Isles of Scilly Adult Social Care department. You will receive a response within two working days from receipt of your application. (If you are not 18 years of age or if you are caring for somebody under 18 please contact Children's Services on 01720 424 040)
Declaration
I understand that in order for The Isles of Scilly Adult Services Department to arrange the right services, the information I provide in the self-assessment may be shared with other professionals who may be involved in helping to meet my needs. By continuing with self-assessment, I give my express consent to my information being shared for these purposes.
Click here to acccess the downloable version of the Carers Self Assessment Opens in a new window
FAQ
- Can I just ask for an assessment by the Isles of Scilly Council?
Yes, anyone aged 18 or above who believes that they may have social care needs which may fall within the definition of community care services can ask for an assessment. Local Authorities with Adult Social Care responsibilities have a duty to carry out a community care assessment when requested.
- If I need a further assessment what is involved and who does it?
If either you or we believe that a further assessment is needed, someone will contact you to arrange a visit to discuss your needs with you in depth.
- If I complete the self-assessment, am I automatically entitled to services?
No, people with needs that fall outside the Adult Social Care Services eligibility criteria do not have any right to receive social care support. You are entitled to social care services only if we agree that you qualify for support. In some cases, if you qualify for support but have higher needs we will ask you to have a full assessment before services are provided.
- If I qualify for services, can I refuse?
Yes, you have a right to refuse services if you feel your circumstances have changed for the better following the assessment. It is important for you to ask us questions if you feel you do not have enough information.
- What happens after I submit my form?
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Your assessment will be sent to your local case co-ordinator, where it will be reviewed. If you are eligible for help and support we will aim to contact you within seven working days of receipt of your form.
Further Support
- If you would like to talk to someone regarding your role as a Carer please contact Adult Social Care on Tel 01720 424 000
- The Department for Work and Pensions give advice about Disabled and Sickness Benefits on free phone Benefit Enquiry Line 0800 882 200 or the online Department of Work and Pensions Disabled People and Carers Information pages.
- For advice or a Carers Allowance application please contact 01253 856 123
- For information regarding your local Carers Support Group please contact 01720 424 000
- Websites for carers - Carers Online, Dementia.com
Support to carers in Scilly
Support is available from:
- Adult Social Care on Tel. 01720 424 000.
- Local Carers Support Group. Please contact Adult Social Care for details of further meetings on 01720 424 000.
- Carers may also be identified and referred to Adult Social Care via their GP and the primary care services they provide.
The Department for Work and Pensions give advice about Disabled and Sickness benefits. For more informaion call the Benefit Enquiry Line 0800 882 200 or click here to view the web page.
The following sites also include usefull information for carers:
Carers UK
Directgov - Caring for someone Opens in a new window
Psychiatry 24/7 Opens in a new window
Youngcarers.net Opens in a new window
All of the above information is available on the Council leaflet: Social care and health factsheet Opens in a new window
