Assessment for Services
Carers Support Service
Learning Disability Carers Pack
Learning Disability Carers Group
Advocacy Together
If the person you care for is being assessed by Adult Social Services, or by Children’s Services because he or she is a disabled child, as a carer you also have a right to have your needs assessed.
In addition, if you are providing "a substantial amount of care on a regular basis" to someone who refuses an assessment or provision of services, you are still entitled to an assessment of your own needs as a carer.
Your rights to assessment are explained more fully in the following leaflet (PDF document)
For more information about services for carers in Darlington see the following leaflet (PDF document)
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Information and support about caring can also be obtained from Darlington Association on Disability's "Carers Support Service", which is open from Monday - Friday, 10am until 4pm. They are located at:
West Lodge,
West Crescent,
Darlington,
DL3 7PS
Tel: 01325 357533
Appointments can also be arranged outside normal working hours to fit with the needs of working carers. For further information please visit the Carers Support Service website
The Carers Support Service also operates Darlington’s Carers Register, which enables you to identify yourself as a carer. You can then receive a regular newsletter giving information about services and support. The register also gives a more accurate picture of carers in Darlington, which can be used by Health, Adult Social Services, Children's Services and other organisations to plan support for carers in Darlington.
Carers Darlington also runs a carers drop-in and details can be obtained from the Carers Support Service. For more information telephone 01325 357533.
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The Carers' Pack (PDF document) was developed by the Carers' sub-group of the Learning Disability Partnership Board to provide a range of information that might be useful for carers of people with learning disabilities.
We would appreciate your comments on the pack. You can let us know what you thought about it by completing a short questionnaire
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The Darlington Adult Learning Disability Carers Group is for parents and carers of adults with a learning disability. Becoming a member of the group allows carers to be involved in carers issues and to be informed of all developments that affect them and the person they care for. It also gives carers the opportunity to meet with other carers and share their experiences. For more information contact Val Hutchinson, c/o Darlington Association on Disability, telephone 01325 489999.
An event is being held on Tuesday 23 September to get the views of carers about Housing Related Support Services (PDF document)
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Advocacy Together Darlington is an independent service for people using social care services who are experiencing difficulties in putting their views across to others. The service can support people with learning disabilities, older people, people with mental health problems and people with physical disabilities. It also supports carers of people who use services.
Advocacy Together can support people by assisting them to express their concerns, both verbally and in writing, to Adult Social Services as well as offering advice, information and guidance to make sure they get the most from their services.
It can also assist in the investigation of complaints made by people who use social care services and support them and their carers to attend meetings.
The service can be contacted at the CVS Buildings, Church Row, Darlington, DL1 5QD, by calling 01325 465337 or e-mail darlington@together-uk.org You can also talk to your Care Manager/Care Coordinator/Social Worker about making a referral.
You can also visit the Advocacy Together website
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