Contact us directly to arrange a carer's assessment

You can contact us directly. If you wish to be assessed for this service or ask for more information, you can complete this online form or telephone Social and Health Care at 0845 050 7666.

Who is entitled to a carers' assessment?

Carers of adults (aged 16 and over) and parent carers of disabled children have a right to a carers' assessment if:

• you provide (or are intending to provide) substantial care on a regular basis where caring has a major impact on your life
• the person you care for may be eligible for support
• you ask Social and Community Services for a carers' assessment.

Carers have the right to an assessment even if the person they are caring for does not want one. You may still be eligible for specific carers' services for yourself.

You can contribute to the discussion of the needs of the person you care for. This will make sure your needs are taken into account when planning services for them.

Do I have to be assessed?

You do not have to have a carers' assessment. If you choose not to have one, it will not stop the person you care for from receiving services.

What happens next?

You will receive a copy of the assessment. If we are able to help, we will draw up a care plan for the person cared for, taking into account your needs as a carer.

The care plan explains what services will be arranged and who will provide them. A copy of the care plan is given to the person you care for.

If you are eligible, we can arrange the services for you or we may be able to provide finance so you can purchase the services yourself using our direct payments scheme.

What if I am not eligible?

If you are not eligible for services, we can still provide free advice and put you in touch with other carer support organisations.

Care charges

• There is no charge for a carers' assessment.
• A charge may be made for services we provide to the person your are caring for, depending on their financial circumstances. See care charges.
• There are no charges for services to children under 18.
• We do not charge for the services we provide to carers.

Parent carers of disabled children

By making an assessment of your situation, it should be possible to see what help and support you and your family might need, and who could best give that help.

Download guides

• Are You Looking After Someone? The Oxfordshire Guide for Carers (pdf, 3.5 MB)
• A Guide to Carers' Assessments (pdf format, 459 KB)
• The Guide - Information for Older People and their Carers (pdf format, 2.5 MB). You can also read this information as an e-book.
• Oxfordshire Carers' Strategy: 2009-2012 (pdf format, 1.2 MB) - partner organisations are asked to set out their own action plans in support of the strategy and to report to the Carers Strategy Steering Group. These plans are posted on the Carers in Oxfordshire website.
• Doorstep Crime - What To Look Out For (pdf format, 230 KB) - A guide for carers and social workers.