What Is a Carer’s Assessment and How Do You Get One?
If you help a parent, partner or relative with everyday life, you may be a carer without ever having called yourself one. A carer’s assessment, sometimes called an assessment for carers, is your council’s way of looking at what caring means for you, and what support could make it more manageable.
This guide explains what a carer’s assessment is, who can have one, how to ask for one in East Riding and North Yorkshire, what happens on the day, and what support can follow.
Key Takeaways
- A carer’s assessment is a free conversation with your council about how caring affects your life and what would help.
- Anyone over 18 who regularly looks after someone can ask for one, whether or not you live with them.
- It’s about you, not about how well you care. The person you care for has their own needs assessment, also from the council.
- Support can include breaks, practical help, equipment, training and advice on benefits.
- Be honest about the hard days. Playing things down can mean missing out on help.
What is a carer’s assessment?
A carer’s assessment is a conversation between you and your local council about your caring role. The NHS explains that it looks at how caring affects your physical and mental health, your work, your free time and your relationships, and what might help. It’s free, and councils have a legal duty to assess carers who may need support.
It’s separate from the council’s assessment for the person you care for. Their care needs assessment, also carried out by the council, looks at what help they need; yours looks at you. You can ask for both to be done together, which many families find easier.
| Carer’s assessment | Care needs assessment | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | You, the family carer | The person who needs care |
| What it looks at | How caring affects your life and wellbeing | What help they need with everyday life |
| Cost | Free from your council | Free from your council |
What can follow | A support plan for you | A care and support plan for them, then a financial assessment |
Who can have a carer’s assessment?
You can ask for one if you’re over 18 and regularly look after someone who couldn’t manage without your help, whether that’s because of age, illness, disability or a mental health condition. You’re entitled to an assessment:
- Whether or not you live with the person you care for.
- However much or little care you give.
- Whether or not the person you care for gets any support from the council.
- Whether or not you work.
If the person you care for lives in a different area, contact the council where they live.
How to get a carer’s assessment
- Contact adult social care. Ask your council’s adult social care team for a carer’s assessment. In our area, that’s East Riding of Yorkshire Council or North Yorkshire Council. You can usually call or apply online.
- Ask before a hospital discharge. If the person you care for is in hospital, ask the ward team to arrange one well before they come home.
- Ask someone you already deal with. A social worker, your GP surgery or a local carers’ centre can refer you or help you ask.
There can be a wait, as councils are often busy. If things are getting difficult in the meantime, say so clearly when you get in touch.
What happens at a carer’s assessment?
The assessment is a conversation, usually face to face, by phone or online. Carers UK says it usually lasts at least an hour, and you can have someone with you if you’d like. You’ll be asked about:
- The care you give, including what you do, how long it takes, and whether it’s day or night.
- Your health, including sleep, stress and any physical strain such as lifting.
- Your work, study or other commitments, and whether you want to keep them up.
- Whether you’re able and willing to carry on caring, and at what level.
- When you last had a break, and what would happen in an emergency.
How to prepare
A little preparation helps you get the most from it. Before the day:
- Keep a diary for a week or two, noting everything you do and when, including at night.
- Have the details to hand, such as your NHS number, your GP’s details, and the name, address and date of birth of the person you care for.
- Think about what would help most, whether that’s a regular break, help with mornings or someone to talk to.
- Be honest about the hard days. Describing a good day can mean you’re offered less help than you need.
What happens after a carer’s assessment?
The council will tell you the outcome. If your needs meet the national eligibility criteria and you’d like help, you’ll agree a support plan together. If they don’t, the council should still give you information and advice about support nearby.
Support for carers can include:
- Breaks from caring, including respite care for the person you care for. Our guide explains how respite care works and the options available.
- Practical help at home, or equipment that makes caring easier.
- Training, for example in moving and handling.
- Emotional support, from support groups to wellbeing activities.
- Advice on benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance.
Councils are generally advised not to charge carers for support provided to them. Care for the person you care for, such as respite, is charged to them rather than to you, and may be means-tested. Our advice page on paying for care explains the options.
How Verified Care can help carers
A carer’s assessment often confirms what you already know: you need a break, or some help with the hardest parts of the day. Our in-home respite care gives you time to rest, work or go away while your loved one stays at home with care staff who follow their routine. Visits can be a few hours, a full day or overnight, and we can provide emergency respite within four hours if your usual arrangements break down.
If the council gives your loved one a personal budget or direct payment, you can use it to pay for care with us. If you’d rather arrange care privately, or while you wait for an assessment, we’ll start with a friendly, no-commitment chat about your family. That’s separate from the council’s assessments, and it’s where we talk through what would help and what it would cost.
Verified Care is nurse-led, and we keep the team around your loved one small and consistent, so you know who’s coming and they get to know your family.
Your carer’s assessment questions answered
Is a carer’s assessment free?
Yes. Councils don’t charge for the assessment itself. Support provided directly to you is usually free too, although care for the person you look after may be means-tested.
Do I have to live with the person I care for?
No. You can have a carer’s assessment whether you live with them, down the road or further away. If they live in another council area, contact their council.
Will a carer’s assessment affect my Carer’s Allowance?
No. Carer’s Allowance is a benefit you claim separately from the Department for Work and Pensions. The council can give you advice on whether you might qualify.
Can I ask for another assessment if things change?
Yes. If the person you care for needs more help, your own health changes or your work situation shifts, you can ask for a new assessment or a review of your support plan.
What if I disagree with the outcome?
Ask the council to explain its decision, and to reassess if you think something was missed. If you’re still unhappy, you can make a complaint, and then take it to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Home from hospital and not sure what comes next?
Whether a discharge date has just been set or reablement is coming to an end, our care staff can talk you through what happens next. No commitment, just a friendly chat
