We’ll need to talk to you to find out what help you need. This is called a ‘parent carers assessment’.
Who can get a parent carers assessment
You can get a parent carers assessment if you’re the main carer for a child or young person up to the age of 18 who has either a:
- physical or learning disability
- mental disorder
You don’t have to be the child’s parent, but they must live with you.
You need to ask adult social care for a carers assessment if the young person you look after is over 18 years old.
You can get a young carers assessment if you’re under 18 years old and you look after someone else.
How the assessment is done
When we receive your request for an assessment we will decide which is the most appropriate service to do the assessment.
This will depend on the needs and worries you are telling us about. We will decide either for a social worker to do the assessment or a worker from the Family Help Service (this used to be called ‘Children and Family Wellbeing Service’).
The worker will contact you and they will ask you a series of questions, which will include:
- any difficulties you have because of your caring role – for example, the effect it is having on your health
- what you need, to help you with your caring role
- difficulties doing activities with your other children
If you agree, they’ll ask the views of other organisations who help you, like your child’s school.
If you are contacted by a worker from Family Help Service they will complete an ‘early help’ assessment. They will talk to you about a range of areas of family life and this will include looking at your wellbeing and health as well as barriers to education, employment, etc that you might be experiencing because of your caring role.
After the assessment
We’ll tell you:
- if you can get help from us
- what help we think you need
If we agree you need help we will agree a care and support plan with you.
This could include:
- short breaks for your child to give you a break from caring
- family support including support around routines, behaviour, etc.
- support to access services in your local community such as play schemes, leisure activities
- help with caring for your child – for example, help with bathing
- adaptations to your home
Ask for a parent carers assessment
- Speak to your worker from our Children’s and Families Services, if you have one
- Telephone the First Response Children’s Duty team on 0116 305 0005 (Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm)
- Fill in the online Request for Family Services form
Other help you can get
Charities and community groups
You may be able to get help directly from charities and local community groups.
Search for support groups for children with disabilities or telephone the Family Information Service on 0116 305 6545.