As a carer you are entitled to help and support. A carer’s assessment can be carried out free of charge by a worker from Adult & Community Services. This will assess the sort of help needed by the person you look after and the help you need to go on caring for them.

You are entitled to this assessment even if the person you care for refuses any outside assistance. The assessment could also give you the right to receive services yourself.

There are all sorts of services that can either help you in your role as a carer or give you a break from caring; from day care services, home care, residential care and respite care, to specialist help for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, or have sight problems, help for children with disabilities and help with training, equipment or finances that may make life easier at home. There are also services that you can access to help meet your own needs such as holistic therapies, employment advice and social groups.

These services are provided by the council’s Adult & Community Services Directorate or by independent organisations. There may be a charge for some of these services.

If you talk to your adult services worker, he or she can advise you about the sort of help that is available and about any benefits that might help you pay for care.

If the person you care for already has an adult services worker then you can contact them directly. If the person you care for does not have a nominated adult services worker then contact the adult services duty team on (01983) 823340. They can give advice and help on arranging and preparing for an assessment as well as dealing with other care enquiries.

An adult services worker will arrange to meet you and the person you care for so that you can explain what the problems are and what sort of help you need. He or she will assess the sort of help that the person you look after needs, talk to you about it and suggest how it might be arranged.

Make sure that he or she also talks to you by yourself and assesses your needs as a carer. You know the sorts of problems you are having and the sort of help that would make a difference.

Social work services for children with disabilities are provided by the Children’s Disability Team, who can be contacted at Oakhouse on (01983) 814520.

For children with caring responsibilities, services can be accessed via Young Carers on (01983) 521590.

Don’t forget....

You have a legal right to have your needs assessed (Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000)

When you talk to someone about the help you need, what you say is confidential and will not be passed on to the person you care for

Our Offices

Adult & Community Services
Duty Service (Adults)

147 High Street
Newport
Isle of Wight. PO30 1TY

Tel: (01983) 823340

Children’s Disability Team
Oakhouse
Holberry Lane
Newport
PO30 2ER

Or via:
Children’s Service Centre
Atkinson Drive
Newport
Isle of Wight PO30 2LS

Tel: (01983) 525790

(right-hand back cover)

Other useful numbers

NHS Direct 0845 4647

NHS Direct is a 24-hour nurse-led helpline providing confidential health advice and information. It is staffed by qualified nurses and health information advisors. Calls are charged at local rate. NHS Direct is also available on the internet at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Carers UK (01983) 533173

Young Carers (01983) 521590

More information about the sort of services available to carers can be found in the Carers Handbook. For a copy or further information about help for carers, contact the Adult & Community Services office listed overleaf or write to:

Adult & Community Services Directorate
17 Fairlee Road
Newport
Isle of Wight.
PO30 2EA