A Carer's Rights to Assessment

Adults Caring for Adults

Adults caring for other adults over the age of 18 may be entitled to their own individual assessment of need (a carer assessment). Carers should be routinely made aware of this right. Note - the person with the care needs should normally be assessed first. However, recent legislation (The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000) allows carers to request their own assessment when the person they are caring for is refusing to accept services and to have their own needs assessed.

Parent Carers

People with parental responsibility for children with disabilities may be entitled to an assessment of their needs and to services to support them under The Children Act 1989. This is completed within an assessment framework where the needs of the child with a disability are also assessed. The assessment framework focuses on the child’s developmental needs, parenting abilities, the family circumstances. The wishes and feelings of parents should be central to such assessments and additional support services identified to aid the parent in their role.

Young Carers

Young people under the age of 18 may help to support parents, siblings or other relatives who need care and support as a result of disability or illness. Such young people/children are sometimes called ‘young carers’. They should not be expected to carry inappropriate levels of caring which have an adverse affect on their development and life chances. An assessment of family circumstances should include the needs of the ‘young carer’ being recognised.

Legislation makes a distinction between young carers under the age of 16 who should be seen as ‘children in need’ under the Children Act 1989 and young carers over the age of 16 who, in ‘exceptional circumstances’ may be assessed under the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000.

It is important to remember that all carers can and should have their wishes, feelings and needs taken into account when the cared for person is being assessed or having their needs reviewed. In this way, the majority of carers may have their own needs assessed together with the cared for person, forming a joint assessment. This approach reflects The Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 that stated carers have a right to their own assessment when the cared for person is having their needs assessed or reviewed. This assessment can be together with the cared for person, or it can involve a separate discussion with the assessing practitioner.

For further information and advice about assessment rights and supporting the needs of carers contact us.