CONTACT A FAMILY

This is a national organisation that offers information and support.  For mutual support, parents or carers can be put in touch with self-help groups or with individual families whose child has a similar disability. 

Contact a Family
209 – 211 City Road
London
EC1V 1JN

Telephone: (020) 7608 8700
Helpline 0808 808 3555
www.cafamily.org.uk
 

COMMUNITY CARE ASSESSMENT including CARERS’ ASSESSMENT

North Yorkshire County Council Adult and Community Services has produced two leaflets called ‘Assessing Your Needs and Arranging Help’ and ‘Paying for Help in Your Own Home or in a Care Home’. The leaflets tell you about the assessment process, the type of help available and about charges. Ask for the leaflets and find out -

• who to contact for help in Social Services
• how they assess your needs and carer’s needs
• how they arrange for services to be provided
• the charges they may make to help and help with charges
• how to make complaints and commendations

The first step is to contact your local Adult and Community Services Customer Services, or ask someone to do this for you.  When you contact Customer Services, they will talk to you about your situation, and may send you some information to help you decide what to do next.  If you agree you need a carer’s assessment, the Customer Services Officer will take details of the situation.  These details will be passed to the local Adult and Community Services or Health team who will contact you direct. Once you have agreed about what will help, and you have agreed about any charges, Adult and Community Services will write a Care Plan for you.  The Carers Centre staff members are also available to assist and support you through this process.