Article: Carer's assessment Article Body Helping Carers to Care If you are looking after a relative, friend or neighbour who cannot manage on their own due to illness, disability or frailty, then you are a Carer. Carers' Rights Carers have rights under the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995. You have the right to talk to someone about your situation and have your own needs assessed. The Carers and Disabled Children Act, which became law in April 2001 takes this one step further. Under this Act, a Carer (over the age of 16 years) can ask for an assessment in their own right even where the person cared for refuses their own assessment, provided that they would have been eligible for community care services. What We Will Do ask you if you want an assessment as a Carer and ensure that you are fully involved in that assessment give you advice and information about benefits and support services that may be available to you discuss with you the services available to help you continue caring provide you with a copy of the cared for persons care plan (with their permission) keep you informed and involved in any changes to the package of care not assume that you are able or willing to take on caring functions continue to develop service support, in particular the provision of services which enable carers to take a break try to identify and support carers over 70 and those from minority ethnic communities offer you the opportunity to have your name placed on the Carers' Register. This gives you access to regular information on issues for carers' and allows us to consult with you on future service developments increase opportunities for carers' to be involved in the planning and development of services Support and Information for Carers There are a number of groups in Barnsley offering practical and emotional support to Carers. All our main service directories include sections referring to Carers' needs and gives a detailed list of different kinds of Support Group. If you think you may be entitled to help, write to, telephone or call in at your local adult social services locality team. Young Carers Young Carers have the right to have their needs assessed under The Children Act 1989. The person you care for may have a disability, mental ill health, a drug or alcohol related problem or may be an older relative who needs more care. If you are a young person (aged 17 or younger) caring for someone within your family, advice, information and in some cases, additional support is available. If you want to talk to someone about the help you can get you should contact your local children and families team. Having your say about how Carers' services are planned and developed If you would like to participate and have your say in the planning and development of Carers' services and also be kept informed about Carers' issues in Barnsley, please contact Lilian Lettin, Carers' Lead, Joint Commissioning Unit, PO Box 679, Barnsley, S70 9JE. Telephone 01226 775195. Fax 01226 772399. Email lilianlettin@barnsley.gov.uk