"I didn't know I was even allowed to ask. I thought the assessment was for the person I care for — not for me."
Only around a quarter of carers have ever had a Carer's Assessment — even though it's free, it's your legal right, and it isn't means-tested. Here's what it is, whether you qualify, and exactly what to say to get one started.
What it actually is
A Carer's Assessment is a conversation with your local council about the impact caring has on your life — not the life of the person you look after. In England it's a legal right under Section 10 of the Care Act 2014.
The key points, in plain English
- ✅It's about you, not themA separate right from any assessment for the person you care for — you can have one even if they never do.
- 🙋Anyone caring for another adult can askNo minimum hours, no test of how "serious" things are. Under-18s and parent carers of disabled children have their own version too.
- 💷Money doesn't affect your right to askSavings, owning your home, working full-time — none of it stops you getting the conversation, and the conversation is always free.
- 🧾Charging only ever applies later, to specific servicesIf the council agrees to arrange ongoing support and proposes to charge for it, that can depend on your finances — see our Financial Assessment guide for exactly how that works, including the £14,250/£23,250 thresholds. Many councils don't charge carers at all — and this never affects the free assessment itself.
- 🚫It's entirely your choiceYou can say no, and ask again later if things change.
This is a plain-English summary of Section 10 of the Care Act 2014. Read the original wording →
Who can ask
| Situation | Entitled? |
|---|---|
| You care for a parent, partner, adult child, or friend | ✓ Yes |
| The person you care for isn't receiving council support | ✓ Yes — doesn't depend on theirs |
| You have savings, own your home, or work full-time | ✓ Yes — finances never affect the right to ask |
| You're a paid personal assistant or care worker | Generally not — unless you also care unpaid on top |
How to request one
Contact adult social care at your council
Search "[your council] + carer's assessment," or call the switchboard and ask to be put through.
Ask for it by name
Say: "I'm an unpaid carer for [name] and I'd like to request a Carer's Assessment under Section 10 of the Care Act 2014."Have the conversation
Phone, video, home visit, or a questionnaire followed by a call. You set the agenda — be honest, including about the things that are hardest to say out loud.
Get the outcome in writing
If you have eligible needs, ask for a written support plan setting out what's been agreed.
What it can lead to
The assessment looks at your health, whether you can work or study, whether you get any time to yourself, and whether caring is sustainable — then, if you're eligible, it can unlock:
- 💷A personal budget or direct paymentMoney you can spend flexibly on things that help — driving lessons, a cleaner, specific respite.
- 🛌Replacement care / respiteSomeone steps in so you get a genuine, regular break.
- 📚Equipment or trainingThings that make caring physically safer and easier, like moving-and-handling training.
- 🗣️Emotional supportReferral to counselling, peer groups, or carer support services.
🧩 See everything else that's free and unclaimed
The Puzzle Hub walks through every stage of the caring journey — including Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance.
Explore the Puzzle Hub →If support isn't delivered
Nearly half of carers found eligible say the support promised didn't actually arrive — usually budget pressure, not bad faith.
- Get your support plan in writing if you don't already have it.
- Chase in writing (email) if support hasn't started by an agreed date.
- Still stuck? Use the council's complaints procedure, then the free, independent Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman if that doesn't resolve it.
Outside England
This guide describes the Care Act 2014, which applies in England. The right still exists elsewhere in the UK, under different names:
| Nation | What to search for |
|---|---|
| Scotland | "Adult Carer Support Plan" from your local council |
| Wales | "Carer's needs assessment" from your local authority |
| Northern Ireland | "Carer's Assessment" from your local Health and Social Care Trust |
Common questions
Will this affect the benefits or care of the person I look after?
No — your assessment is legally separate from theirs, and doesn't put their support at risk.
Will we be assessed together, or separately?
Your assessment is legally your own, though many councils offer to do both at the same visit for convenience. You can always ask for a private conversation if you'd rather speak candidly.
I already had one a while ago — can I ask again?
Yes, anytime — especially if your health, caring hours, or circumstances have changed.
Useful contacts
Your local council — adult social care
Search "[your council] + carer's assessment," or call their switchboard and ask for adult social care.
Carers UK
carersuk.org — Your guide to the Care Act · 0808 808 7777 (freephone)
Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm, including Bank Holidays. Practical advice on requesting and challenging decisions.
Citizens Advice
citizensadvice.org.uk — carers advice · 0800 144 8848 (Adviceline, freephone)
Free, confidential advice, including help with council complaints.
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
lgo.org.uk
Independent, free investigation of complaints about councils — use once you've tried the council's own complaints process first.
Sources
- [1] legislation.gov.uk — Care Act 2014, Section 10 (Carer's assessment)
- [2] legislation.gov.uk — Care Act 2014, Section 9 (Needs assessment)
- [3] legislation.gov.uk — Care Act 2014, Section 17 (Financial assessment)
- [4] Carers UK — Your guide to the Care Act (England)
- [5] Citizens Advice — Carers: help and support
- [6] SCIE — Care Act factsheet 4: Legal duties for a carer's assessment
- [7] GOV.UK — Carer's assessment: your right to an assessment
- [8] Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman