Anyone who provides unpaid regular and substantial care is entitled to have a carer's assessment. This is an assessment of their own wellbeing and how caring has affected them.

Getting a carer's assessment could be the first step to gaining vital support. It’s your chance to discuss the help you need as a carer. Note that carer’s assessments are sometimes referred to by different names, such as ‘Carer Conversation’ in some areas.

It does not matter: 

  • Whether or not you live with the person you support
  • Whether they are a relative or friend
  • How many hours each week you support them, as long as you are giving them ‘regular and substantial’ care

You are entitled to an assessment of your needs as a carer, even when the person you support refuses to use the services they need.

An assessment should happen at least once a year, and when there are any major changes to your circumstances or those of the person you care for.

General guidance and information on what a Carer's Assessment is can be found on the Carers UK website.

The process of getting a carer's assessment can vary depending on which borough or area you live in. In most cases, carers assessments are conducted by the local council, but some areas utilise local carer organisations to help with this.

See this resource sheet for details on where to contact for the area you are based in.

If you are still unsure, contact the Adult Social Services at your local council, or if you are a carer for your child or are a young carer, contact the Children’s Department of Social Services.

If you live in a different borough to the person you support, it is the responsibility of the health or social services team where the cared-for person lives to arrange the carer’s assessment.

Staff supporting the person you care for, or your team’s local Carer Champion, should also be able to signpost you to a carer’s assessment, as well as your General Practitioner (GP). 

If you are providing support to someone with a learning disability, Mencap can provide more information on support for carers.

Despite the name, a carer’s ‘assessment’ is not a test of your abilities as a carer. It’s a chance to let your local council know how your caring responsibilities affect you physically and emotionally. They will use the assessment to find out what support you need, whether you’re willing or able to carry on caring, what you want to achieve in your daily life and whether you qualify for help. 

Some of the things you may be asked during your assessment could include whether:

  • Your health has been affected by your role as a carer
  • You need emotional support
  • You are currently working and wish to continue working
  • You have social support (friends/family)
  • You need any information about benefits
  • You enjoy any leisure activities
  • You are able to get out and about

Carers’ assessments aim to identify what support you may need, and to arrange ways for meeting those needs (a carer's support plan). This is to help prevent you from becoming isolated in your caring role.

You will need some key information as part of the assessment process, including:

  • your NHS number 
  • your GP’s name, address and phone number details
  • your email address
  • contact details of anyone coming to the assessment with you
  • details of the person you care for including their name, address, date of birth and NHS number. 

If you are bringing the person you care for or anyone else with you to the assessment, it is important to consider whether you will be able to speak freely about any difficulties you have. It is important for you to be honest and realistic about your caring role. If you put on a brave face or play down any difficulties, you could miss out on help and support.

After the assessment, you should receive a written support plan setting out how any identified needs will be met. Local services may vary but could be provided directly to the person you care for to give you a break.

Sometimes a small charge is made for some types of service (although they should never charge for care and support provided for the person you care for), but this will be discussed with you before any services are provided.

Some services might be provided by local voluntary organisations or private agencies that can help you. Social services have also introduced 'personal budgets for carers' which allow you to buy the service yourself. To find out more about personal budgets, contact your local social services department and ask to speak with the personal budgets advisor.

If you’re not eligible for support, the council must still provide you with guidance and information to look after your health, welfare and overall wellbeing and to prevent you from developing support needs in the future.

It is important your needs as a carer are met, both for your own sake, and for the person you care for. Caring can be a lonely and isolating experience, and maintaining outside interests and social networks helps to balance caring with your own needs.

If you disagree with the decision following your assessment, there are ways to challenge it.

See the Carers UK guidance on making complaints here.

How to request a carer’s assessment in your area

Information on how to request a Carer's Assessment in Brent can be found on the Brent Council website.

Brent Carers Centre are responsible for conducting Carer's Assessments in the area.

They also support young carers. Visit their young carers web page for more information.

Carer's Assessments are termed ‘Carer Conversations’ in Camden. Information on these assessments and how to access on can be found on the Camden Care Choices website.

You can arrange a Carers Conversation by contacting the Adult Social Care and request a discussion about your care and support needs as a Carer, complete the Camden Adult Social Care Referral Form.

If you need to speak to someone urgently or are having trouble with the form, phone 020 7974 4444, and when prompted, say ‘Adult Social Care’.

Camden Carers is the organisation who supports unpaid carers in the borough, and they can also offer ‘Carer Conversations’.

Family Action Islington and Camden Young Carers Service can provide support for young carers in the area.

Information on how to request a Carer's Assessment in Hammersmith and Fulham can be found on the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Council website.

Carers Network are the main organisation who provides information and support for unpaid carers in the area.

For young carers, H&F Family Support Service can provide information and support. Call 020 8753 1200 to speak to someone. Young carers can also complete a young carers assessment with H&F Children's Services. For more information, they can call 020 8753 6600.

Information on how to request a Carer's Assessment in Harrow can be found on the Harrow Council website: Carer support – London Borough of Harrow

Harrow Council are responsible for conducting Carers Assessments in the area.

Harrow Carers is the support organisation for unpaid carers in Harrow.

They also support young carers and offer a Young Carers Assessments. They can contact Harrow Young Carers team on 020 8868 5224 or email youngcarers@harrowcarers.org

Carers can complete a Carer's Assessment online on the Hillingdon Council website. There is also information and guidance on what an assessment is and who is eligible for one.

Contact the Adult Social Care Team at Hillingdon Council to speak to someone.

Carers Trust Hillingdon is the local carer support organisation in Hillingdon

They also have a bespoke service for young carers.

Information on how to request a Carer's Assessment in Kensington and Chelsea can be found on the People First page.

Carers Network  are responsible for conducting Carer's Assessments in the area

You can also request an assessment from Adult Social Care in RBKC.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea website also has some information for carers.

For support for young carers, call the Early Help for Families Team on 0207 598 4608 / 0207 361 4129, or email them at earlyhelp@rbkc.gov.uk

Carer's Assessments are termed ‘Carer Conversations’ in Milton Keynes. Information can be found on the Milton Keynes City Council website.

You can arrange a Carers Conversation by contacting the ACCESS Team or completing their online form.

For young carers in MK, the service responsible for assessing the 'looked after' person is also responsible for assessing and responding to the needs of the young carer. Therefore the point of contact if the person is under Adults Services is the Access Team, and the point of contact if the person is under Children’s Services is the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).

Carers Milton Keynes is the main organisation that supports unpaid carers in the area.

They also support young carers. Visit their young carers web page for more information.

Information on how to request a Carer's Assessment in Surrey can be found on the Surrey County Council website.

Carers can self-refer on the ‘my support needs as a carer self-assessment form’. A health professional or local carer organisation can also refer them.

Contact the Adult Social Care department by calling 0300 200 1005.

A ‘parent carers needs assessment’ is available for parents with children under 18. If you do not have a social worker or family support worker contact Children's Single Point of Access (C-SPA).

Action for Carers are the main organisation who provides information and support for unpaid carers in the area.

Surrey Young Carers support young carers across Surrey. To get in touch, call 01483 568 269, or email SYC@actionforcarers.org.uk.

To access a young carer's assessment, your social worker should be able to provide this. If you do not have a social worker or family support worker contact: Children's Single Point of Access (C-SPA).

Information on how to request a Carer's Assessment in Westminster can be found on the People First page.

Carers Network  are responsible for conducting Carers Assessments in the area

You can also request an assessment from Adult Social Care in Westminster

The Westminster Council website also has some information for carers.

For support for young carers, if you live in Westminster, call the Family Services Access Team on 0207 641 4000 or email AccesstoChildrensServices@westminster.gov.uk.