The Care Act 2014 gave rights for carers to request an assessment of their needs. This assessment will look at the impact the caring role has on your life and what support you may need to help you.
The person carrying out the assessment with you will look at what you want to achieve day-to-day and consider what is important to you.
If you want to know more about a Carers Assessment or would like to request one, please visit the Carers Leeds website or call: 0113 380 4300.
If you care for someone who lives in York, visit the York Carers Centre website where you can find a self-assessment form.
We work with Carers Leeds to provide information advice and support to carers of people with mental health difficulties and learning disabilities.
Carers Leeds can:
- provide you with someone to talk to
- inform you of your rights (including advice on Welfare benefits)
- help you access a carers assessment
- meet you (at a place and time convenient for you) to talk about your support needs and agree a plan to best meet these needs
- put you in touch with Carers Groups across the city if you would like to meet up with other carers
You can also speak to the worker who is involved with the person you care for. This may be a community psychiatric nurse, occupational therapist, social worker, a nurse on a ward or a psychiatrist. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It is the responsibility of all care staff to work in partnership with carers.
If the Trust is not able to help or if you feel you would be better supported by Carers Leeds, with your permission we can make a referral to them for you.
If you feel you are in need of help or just want to discuss what support is available for you can call the Carers Leeds information advice line on 0113 380 4300. This is available from Monday to Friday, from 9.00am to 4.30pm.
You can also email Carers Leeds at info@carersleeds.org.uk and find out more information about the support available for carers on the Carers Leeds website.
We’re one of 32 mental health NHS Trusts using the Triangle of Care approach to improve services. This means we want to make your experience of our services the best it can be.
The Triangle of Care is based on six principles:
- Carers and the essential role they play are identified at first contact or as soon as possible thereafter
- Staff are carer aware and trained in carer engagement strategies
- Policy and practice protocols around confidentiality and sharing information are in place
- Defined post(s) responsible for carers are in place
- A carer introduction to the service and staff is available, with a relevant range of information across the acute care pathway
- A range of carer support services is available along with a self-assessment tool
We have staff in each service area taking the lead for supporting carers and helping their team work within the principles set out in the Triangle of Care. We are also asking our services to asses themselves against the approach to see where they can improve. Training is also due to be implemented to raise awareness of carer issues and will be available for all staff.
Over the last 12 months we have been working with carers and Carers Leeds to get feedback on the work we’re doing so that we can get it right.
If you would like to get involved or share your experiences with us so that we can improve services please contact Steve Taylor, Service Delivery Manager, at Carers Leeds on 0113 380 8913 or email stephen.taylor@carersleeds.org.uk
Carers Leeds – a great source of support and information for all carers in Leeds.
Caring in Leeds – Leeds City Council guide to information and support for carers in the city.
Carers Direct – a national website offering advice, information and support for carers.
Counselling Directory – a nationwide database of qualified counsellors and psychotherapists.