A carer’s assessment is a free meeting where the council looks at how caring affects you. Anyone over 18 who gives regular unpaid care can ask for one. This guide is mainly for England.
What is a carer’s assessment, and who can have one?
It looks at your needs, not just the needs of the person you care for. The assessor asks how caring affects your health, work, free time and relationships.
It is free. It is not a test of how well you care.
It is separate from the needs assessment of the person you care for. You can ask for both to be done at the same time.
Do I have to be "a proper carer" to ask?
No. You can be a carer even if you never use the word. Regular help for an ill, older or disabled person counts, including help from family members.
The amount or type of care does not matter. It can be a few tasks or most of the day.
Examples include:
- helping with washing, dressing or meals
- managing medicines or appointments
- doing shopping, cleaning or paperwork
- sitting with someone so they are not alone
How do I ask the council for a carer’s assessment?
Contact adult social services at your local council. If the person you care for lives in another area, contact their council. In Wales, contact your own council instead.
You could say: "I look after my mum. I would like a carer’s assessment for myself."
Before you get in touch, write down a few notes. Keep them to use in the assessment too.
- Their needs: what the person you care for finds hard
- Your caring tasks: what you do, and how often
- Your health: tiredness, pain, low mood or worry
- Your work and life: missed shifts, no free time, less time with family or friends
Ask when you can expect a reply. Some local carers’ centres and carers organisations can carry out assessments too. Ask the council or your local centre.
Does the person I care for need their own assessment first?
No. They do not have to be assessed for you to get your own assessment. You can have one whether or not they have had a needs assessment.
A needs assessment for them is still worth considering if they are willing.
What happens during the assessment?
It lasts at least an hour. You can ask to have someone with you, such as a friend or relative.
You can also ask for an advocate. An advocate speaks up for you, and is often free.
- Be honest. Do not play down difficulties. This helps you get the right support.
- If the person you care for will be there, think first about whether you can speak freely. If not, say so when you book.
If the person has dementia
- Ask whether the assessment can be held when they are not present.
- If they need company, ask a friend or relative to stay with them during your assessment.
- Choose a time of day when they are usually calmer, if they do need to be there.
What support can follow, and what if I’m turned down?
If you qualify, the council writes a care and support plan with you. Support could include:
- respite, which is a break from caring
- someone to take over caring for a time
- local support groups
- help with caring, and equipment
- a direct payment, where the council gives you money to arrange your own support
Councils are advised not to charge carers for support given to them, but some do a financial assessment. Ask what, if anything, you would pay.
If you are not eligible, the council must still give you information and advice on where to go for help. If you disagree with the result, or how the assessment was done, you can complain.
You might also qualify for benefits for carers. Ask the council or a carers organisation, or read our rights and benefits guide.
Rules can differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For free practical help, try your local carers’ centre. Carers UK runs a free helpline on 0808 808 7777, and you can read its carer’s assessment advice.
What to do next
- Contact adult social services at your council and ask for a carer’s assessment.
- Ask whether the person you care for can have a needs assessment at the same time.
- Ask whether a friend, relative or advocate can come with you.
- Want to see what paid care could cost? Try our free care cost calculator.