Carer Conversations (Assessments)
N.B. In Camden, a carers assessment (Care Act 2014) is referred to as a Carer Conversation.
“The task of the Carers Conversation is trying to get the carer to focus on themselves.”
What matters to carers:
- Raising awareness of Carer Conversations, so carers know where they can ask for these.
- Accessing a regular Carer Conversation (reviewed every 12 months), and access to informal support and check-ins around Carer Conversations.
- Better access to support for carers of children transitioning into adulthood.
- Having information about how best to prepare for a Carer Conversation.
- Conversations reflecting the holistic picture of a person’s caring role including whether they care for multiple people, or when a broader network of social connections and family are providing care for a single person.
- Employing cultural competency and understanding in providing Carer Conversations and identifying when someone could benefit from a Carers Conversation.
- Taking time to listen about the impact of the caring role. The conversation should be focussed on the carer.
- Being given information by the person carrying out the Carer Conversation about all the options for support that are available, rather than the carer having to say what support they need when they don’t know what’s possible.
- Knowing what other support is available whilst waiting for a conversation.
- Even if the carer declines a carer conversation, they can still be registered as a carer.