Questions to ask social services
- Does your local authority provide good quality materials containing clear information about carers assessments – explaining the purpose and benefit to carers?
- Are the materials widely promoted – e.g. posters and leaflets in supermarkets, shopping centres, and places of worship, GP surgeries, clinics, hospitals, libraries, leisure and other community centres?
- Is there a local information strategy which covers
- How/where carers can find out about assessments,
- how new and hard to reach carers are to be identified
- the NHS, housing, education, the voluntary sector – including carers centres?
- Are local health professionals aware of carers’ assessments? Is information and signposting provided by local GPs and practice nurses?
- Does the Local Authority website contain clear information about carers’ assessments and where to go for help
- Are local authorities asked about their practice on carers assessments in inspections? Carer’s organisations can request a copy of the inspection report.Are local authorities ensuring that staff are trained in conducting carer assessments?