Carer's Assessment: Your Rights

A carer's assessment is carried out by the local council under the Care Act 2014. It considers your role as a carer and the impact it has on your own life — not just the needs of the person you care for. The assessment may be done face to face, by phone, or online, and can be completed jointly with the assessment of the person you care for if you both agree.

The assessment looks at the following areas:

• The nature of the care you provide and the tasks involved;
• Whether caring is sustainable — for example, whether it conflicts with work, other caring responsibilities, or your own health needs;
• Your wellbeing — including whether you are getting enough sleep, maintaining relationships, and having time for yourself;
• What support would help you to continue caring if you wish to, or to reduce or stop caring if appropriate.

After a carer's assessment, the council applies eligibility criteria under the Care and Support (Eligibility Criteria) Regulations 2015. You are eligible for council support if your needs meet the threshold — specifically, if you are unable to achieve a specified outcome as a result of your caring role, and this has or is likely to have a significant impact on your wellbeing.

Support that may be offered includes:

• Carer's personal budget or direct payment — Money to pay for a short break, leisure activity, or other support of your choosing;
• Respite care — Temporary care for the person you look after, giving you a break;
• Information and advice — Signposting to local carer support groups, charities, and other resources;
• Practical support — Help with specific tasks, such as assistance from a care worker while you take time out;
• Referral to employment support — If caring is affecting your ability to work.

Young people under 18 who provide significant care are young carers. They have separate rights to a young carer's assessment under the Children Act 1989 (as amended). This assessment should consider whether the young carer's role is appropriate for their age and development and what support would help.

At the transition to adulthood (around age 16–18), young carers are entitled to a young carer's transition assessment under the Care Act 2014, to plan for their needs as they move into adult life. The council should proactively offer this.

Identifying young carers and ensuring they receive appropriate support is a statutory responsibility shared between schools, health services, and local councils. Teachers and GPs can make referrals to young carer support services.