Carers
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Welcome to the Carers Information page
Are you looking after this person without payment? If yes, You are a Carer.
As a Carer you may wish to find out more about what is available to support you in your caring role. On this page we have information on the following areas.
Directory of Support Services
If you regularly provide or intend to provide a substantial amount of care for a friend or relative, or you a have a disabled child, you have a legal right to ask the Southern Health and Social Care trust for a carer’s assessment. This assessment will consider your caring role and responsibilities and willingness to continue caring. It must take account of your circumstances and views. The assessment is aimed at making caring easier for you and providing support for the person you are looking after.
Assessment should be as simple and informal as possible, it is not a test. it is a converstion for you to focus on how caring impacts on you and your lifestyle. It can be done somewhere convenient, such as your home or the home of the person you are caring for. Carers often find it is better to talk confidentially to the person carrying out the assessment, without the person you are caring for being present.
The purpose of your assessment is to make sure that you are listened to you and, where possible, the help you need to make caring easier for you is offerred, so that you can go on caring. This could be help and support directly to you, or help to the person you are looking after.
Preparing for the Carers Assessment Talk to the person you look after. Try to agree that you will both ask for assessments. If he or she refuses an assessment, you can still request a carers’ assessment for yourself. The assessment is the chance for you to tell the social worker what help you need in order to provide or continue to provide care Take time to think about the things which you find difficult. Think about the types of services listed below. Would any of these help you? Changes to the home or equipment to help you? Someone to help with personal care (eg bathing)? A meal delivered to the person you care for? A few hours for yourself regularly? A week or two break occasionally? Counselling/ talking to someone? To be put in touch with other carers (eg a carers support group)? Information about what is available and any costs? Information on Direct Payments.
Remember the Carers Assessment is not a test, it is about recognising, valuing and supporting you as a carer. During the assessment You should have a chance to speak separately from the person you care for The person doing the assessment will give you the opportunity to speak frankly about your own feelings and difficulties. It is vital that social services understand your wishes and provide services to support you. If either you or the person you care for has difficulty communicating you should let social services know so that they can provide appropriate assistance.
What is a Direct Payment? A Direct Payment is an amount of money that the Cared fpr person you may be able to get instead of traditional services from the Trust. It will enable you to arrange your support in a way that suits you best. You can get Direct Payments if You are over 16. You are assessed by a Social Worker or Care Manager as needing personal social services. You are willing and able to manage Direct Payments (with as much help as necessary). You need help with daily living tasks. You can use Direct Payments to arrange your own support at home, as well as daytime activities and respite. Direct Payments are available to disabled people with any impairment, including learning disability, mental health service users etc. Direct Payments are available to Disabled people. Older people who get services from the Trust. Disabled parents. Parents of disabled children. Carers for services to meet their own needs. How can Direct Payments benefit me? You will have greater choice and control in your everyday life. You control the money for your personal assistance. You choose who works for you, when they work, and what they do.
To download the Department of Health Guidance on Direct Payments please click on the Link . ‘Guidance for Direct Payments’ (PDF link)
For more information see the Centre for Independent living website http://www.cilbelfast.org/
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Are you looking after someone who may be a relative, friend or neighbour, who is unable to manage at home without help because of frailty, illness or disability?