Carer's assessments and other support from your Local Council

Reviewed by: Dr Jackie Gray, Public Health Expert and Retired GP
(Carents Trusted Reviewer Programme – Last reviewed December 2025)

Many carents don’t see themselves as carers and find it difficult to see their caring role as separate from the relationship they have with the person for whom they care  eg parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, friend, etc 

Eventually, most people taking on a caring role realise that they are acting as a carer but it can take a while. On average, it takes people around two years to acknowledge their role as a carer. 

You are a carer if you look after someone regularly because they’re ill, ageing or disabled, if they would not manage without your support and you are not paid to do provide this help.  

Anyone can be a carer  – including friends, relatives, spouses, parents – you don’t need to live with the person you are caring for and you do not need to provide full time care.

Common caring tasks include:

• washing, dressing or helping someone take their medicines

• taking them to appointments

• helping with shopping, cleaning and laundry

• sorting bills or managing money for them

• keeping someone company when they cannot be left alone

• Prompting someone to eat, bathe etc 

Caring also includes the emotional load, like staying up late to make sure someone is safe or checking in constantly because you are worried.

Since 2014, Local Authorities have had a legal duty to support carers. If you tell the council you need help, they must carry out a carer’s assessment. Your income or the amount of care you provide does not affect this right.

The assessment is simply a conversation about your situation. It looks at how caring affects your daily life, your health, your work and your ability to cope. Afterwards, the council will decide if you qualify for support. If you do, they must create a care and support plan for you.

A carer’s assessment looks at:

• what caring tasks you do

• how much strain you are under

• what you need to stay well and carry on safely

• whether you need regular breaks

• any risks, like exhaustion or your own health conditions

You do not need to wait until you are at breaking point. You can ask for an assessment at any time.

Asking the council for a carer’s assessment can feel intimidating, especially if you are tired and already stretched thin. The process is more straightforward than most people expect. You can contact your Local Authority by phone, email or through their website. Simply tell them you are caring for someone and you need support. You do not have to prepare anything formal, and you do not need proof or documents. It is enough to say you are struggling or that caring is affecting your day to day life.

Once you have made the request, the council should arrange a time to speak with you. This may happen over the phone, online or in your home. During the conversation, be honest about what is difficult. Many carers downplay the pressure they are under. Try to describe a typical tough day rather than the best-case version. This helps the council understand the real picture and offer support that actually makes a difference.

The support offered varies depending on your situation, but can include:

• practical help with housework, gardening or home maintenance

• training to help you feel more confident, for example communication tips for supporting someone with dementia

• help with transport issues or travel costs

• home modifications like grab rails or ramps

• equipment such as hoists or lifts

• mental health support, including talking therapies or counselling

• respite care so you can have a break

• advice on benefits, grants or other financial help

• ways to improve your wellbeing, such as exercise groups or adult education

All support is intended to help you live your own life, not just the caring role.

Not everyone meets the council’s eligibility rules, and this can feel frustrating or unfair. If the council says you do not qualify, it does not mean your caring role is easy or that you do not deserve help. It simply means you do not meet their specific thresholds at that moment. Other factors such as their budget levels determine these thresholds. You still have options. You can ask them to explain their decision in plain English, not policy language. You can also request a review if things get harder or if your health changes.

Even without meeting eligibility, the council should give you information about local services, support groups and charities. Some carers’ centres offer free workshops, emotional support, benefits advice and respite options that do not require council approval. Keep track of how your situation changes. If the caring load increases, ask for another assessment. You are allowed to request one whenever you need it.

Many carers reach a point where they feel physically drained and emotionally stretched. Getting a break is not a luxury, it is essential for your health and safety. Respite for carers comes in different forms. The council may offer short-term breaks, day services or support workers who can spend time with the person you care for while you rest or catch up on your own life. Some areas offer emergency respite if something unexpected happens and you cannot provide care temporarily.

If formal respite is not available straight away, ask about other options. Some charities provide volunteer sitting services or time-limited support. Community groups can offer social drop-ins where the person you care for has company for a few hours. Many carers feel guilty asking for a break, but exhaustion does not help anyone. Taking time for yourself helps you continue providing care safely.

Reviewed by Dr Jackie Gray, December 2025