FACS for Carers

A carer is someone who looks after a relative, partner or friend who needs support; whether for reasons of age, physical or learning disability or illness, including mental illness. Carers of people who are eligible for services can ask for their own individual assessment.

How to Determine if a Carer is Eligible for Additional Support

The assessment will relate to the impact of the caring role on the individual carer. It will need to address the following questions:

• Is the carer able to continue in their role?
• What is the risk of the caring role breaking down?

The framework for assessing carers must carefully consider the risk factors that affect the carer’s ability and willingness to care. These risk factors are balanced against those that apply to adults with care needs (as described previously in this leaflet). The carers’ framework is also split into four bands:

Low, Moderate, Substantial and Critical.

The bands broadly cover the same areas as with ‘Fair Access to Care Services’. They are described in more detail below:

• Risks to the carer’s independence and freedom to make choices.
• Risks to the carer’s health, safety and well-being.
• Is the carer able to manage their own personal and daily routines?
• Is the carer able to be involved in family and community life?

Low

Support and advice will promote the carer's independence and contribution to wider community.

Moderate

Help will support the carer to maintain their situation and well-being, and meet personal and employment commitments.

Substantial

Direct help will prevent care breakdown and help keep families together.

Critical

The caring role will collapse without support.

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