Parent carer needs assessment

What is a parent carer?

A parent carer is a person aged 18 or over who provides or intends to provide care for a disabled child for whom they have parental responsibility (this includes biological parents, kinship carers, adoptive parent carers and foster parent carers).

A parent carer needs assessment is a legal entitlement that allows parent carers to discuss their own needs and access support while caring for a child with additional needs or disabilities.

What is a parent carer needs assessment (PCNA)?

A PCNA is a discussion with your local authority about your role as a parent carer, focusing on your wellbeing, health, work, relationships, and free time. It's not a test of your parenting skills but a way to identify support that can help you sustain your caring role in the long term. The assessment is provided under the Children and Families Act 2014, and all parent carers of children under 18 with additional needs or disabilities are entitled to request one.

Who can request an assessment?

Parent carers: anyone with parental responsibility, including birth parents, adoptive parents, or legal guardians
Other family members: relatives providing substantial care (usually 35+ hours per week) may also be eligible
Multiple carers: each parent carer can have their own assessment, as needs may differ even for the same child

How to request a PCNA

You can contact First Point of Contact (FPOC) 0345 6789021 to request an assessment. You can also speak directly to your allocated social worker or another social care practitioner. You can send a letter or email outlining your situation if you prefer.

What the assessment covers

The assessment looks at:

Your health and wellbeing
Impact on work, education, and leisure
Relationships with family and friends
How your caring role affects your other children
Identification of support services available to you, such as short breaks, advice, or referrals to young carers

Preparation tips

To prepare for your PCNA you can make notes about your daily caring responsibilities and challenges. This may include daily, weekly, and nightly care tasks you perform, including personal care, supervision, and, if applicable, support for siblings.

Consider the support you currently receive and what additional help would be beneficial. Be ready to discuss personal issues openly, as this helps the worker carrying out the assessment understand your needs fully.

Outcome

Following a PCNA, you'll receive a copy of the assessment report.

The assessment may result in a parent support plan, which outlines the support you can access. While it doesn't automatically provide a direct service or budget, it helps identify resources from the council or other local agencies to support you and your family.

By requesting an assessment, you ensure that your needs as a carer are recognised, and that you can access the support necessary to maintain your wellbeing whilst caring for your child.