Preparing for a carer's assessment

If you care for a disabled person, you can have an assessment to see what support might help make your life easier. This is called a carer's assessment, also known as a parent carer’s assessment.

A carer's assessment focuses on your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. This is separate from a needs assessment, which looks at what the disabled person needs, like healthcare, equipment or help at home.

It can recommend things like:

• someone to give you temporary or regular breaks from caring 
• help with your travel costs 
• advice about benefits and support for carers
• information on local support groups
• gym membership and exercise classes to relieve stress
• training on how to lift safely

You have the right to ask for a carer's assessment at any time.

How to get a carer’s assessment

Contact your local authority to ask for a carer's assessment.

Find your local authority (GOV.UK)

Self-assessment

If you need information, advice or simple equipment to support you, you may be able to do a self-assessment online.

Contact your local authority to ask whether they offer online assessments.

Before your assessment

Your local authority may publish a checklist to help you prepare for a carer’s assessment. The checklist may not cover everything, as each caring role is different.

Search for ‘carer’s assessment checklist’ on your local authority’s website (GOV.UK).

Checklist for preparing for a carer’s assessment (Which?)

What happens in the assessment

The local authority assessor will ask how you are coping with caring. This includes how it affects your:

• wellbeing
• mental and physical health
• relationships
• work or education
• leisure or interests

Give as much detail as you can about how caring affects your life. For example, if your child does not sleep or your family is finding it difficult to cope. This will help make sure you get the support you need.

The assessment is usually face to face, for example, in your home. Some councils can do it over the phone or online.

Assessments usually last around an hour.

Documents you need

You will need:

• your GP's name, address and phone number
• contact details of anyone who's going to be with you during your assessment
• the name, address, date of birth of your child
• your email address, if you have one

Have someone with you

It can help if you have someone with you during the assessment, like a friend or relative.

You could also use an advocate. Advocates are people who speak up on your behalf. They can help you fill in forms and sit with you in meetings and assessments. They're usually free.

Find an advocate in your area (NHS)

After the assessment

You will usually get the results of the assessment within a week. If you qualify for help from the local authority, they'll write a carer support plan with you that sets out how they can help.

The plan outlines:

• the type of support you need
• how you will get this support
• how much money your local authority will contribute to your care

Help with costs of caring

You might also qualify for benefits for carers that can help with costs, such as Carer’s Allowance.

Carer’s Allowance (GOV.UK)

One-off payments

If you qualify for support, you might be able to get a one-off payment, also known as a ‘direct payment’. This is to cover the cost of the services they would have to pay to meet your needs. For example, you may need help with the cost of driving lessons to help you continue in your caring role.

Direct payments (Carers UK)

If you do not qualify for help from your local authority

If you are told you do not qualify for support, your local authority should give you free advice about where you can get help in your community. Ask your local authority if this does not happen.

If you disagree with the results

If you are unhappy with your assessment or your care and support plan, you have a right to complain.

First complain to your local authority. It should have a formal complaints procedure on its website. 

Social care complaints procedure (Citizens Advice)

Writing a formal complaint about your social care needs assessment

If you disagree with the way the local authority handles your complaint, you can contact the ombudsman. This is an independent person who looks into complaints about organisations.

Local government and social care ombudsman

Talk to someone

If you want to talk to someone about carer's assessments, call:

• your local authority’s social services department
• carer centres and services (NHS)
• Carers Direct free helpline on 0300 123 1053
• Carers UK free helpline on 0800 808 7777
• Contact, a charity for families with disabled children