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Carer's assessments

Carers support

Caring Together and Making Space are two organisations which support carers on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council. You do not need to have a carers assessment to access a broad range of information, advice and support.

Caring Together supports adult carers, and provides:

Making Space supports people who are caring for someone with a mental health condition and can offer:

  • one to one support with a named support worker
  • carer led groups across the county
  • information sessions
  • signposting to other services, organisations and charities
  • information on mental health conditions

Telephone: 01480 211 006

Email: enquiries@makingspace.co.uk

Carer's assessments

A carer's assessment looks at the help you might need to carry out your caring role and focusses on your wellbeing. If you need additional support to continue caring for someone, you can contact us.

Our first step will be to have a conversation about your caring responsibilities and your wellbeing. In some cases we may then suggest a carer's assessment. This helps us understand your needs and what is important to you.

Eligibility for carers assessments

You can request a carer's assessment if:

  • you are aged 18 or over and care for, or intend to care for, another adult
  • you provide unpaid care for a relative or friend

You do not need permission from the person you care for to ask for a carer's assessment.

Carer's assessments (and any support offered?) are not means-tested. Your income does not make a difference.

The person you care for does not have to be getting support from Cambridgeshire County Council.

However if the person you care for is having a social care needs assessment, a carer's assessment can be carried out at the same time.

What happens in an assessment

We will have a conversation with you to find out what matters to you. We will discuss the physical, emotional and practical impact that caring has on you.

It can help to consider:

  • what do I want to achieve?
  • if I can achieve this, what difference would it make to my life?
  • what support do I have in place already?

The assessment may suggest that caring for someone is affecting your wellbeing. Caring might be preventing you from meeting your own needs. We will discuss your options, and any support that would help.

The assessment will not look at:

  • the quality of the care that you provide
  • your financial situation
  • the needs of the person you care for, unless they request a social care needs assessment at the same time

Afterwards you will receive a carer’s support plan. We will tell you about other people or organisations that can help you. 

Advocacy

POhWER and Cambridgeshire Deaf Association can help if you need support to engage on the assessment process. Advocates can help you explore available options and express your own decisions. More information on advocacy.

Start a conversation around support

Is the person you care for getting support from Cambridgeshire County Council? If so, the team which supports them can also advise you on carer support. 

If we do not support the person you care for, or you are unsure, contact us using the form or telephone number below.

Contact us

Telephone: 0345 045 5202

9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

Making Space

If you care for someone with mental ill health, you can also contact Making Space.
Making Space website
Telephone: 01480 211 006
enquiries@makingspace.co.uk
Visit the Making Space Facebook page

Caring Together

Caring Together can also have an initial conversation with you and refer you on to us for an assessment if necessary.

Caring Together website
Telephone: 0345 241 0954
Email: hello@caringtogether.org

All Age Carer's Strategy 2022 - 2026

Our All Age Carers Strategy sets out how we intend to support adult carers, young carers and parent carers.