Transition to adult social care (child's carers/ young carer's assessments)

12.1   This section applies to:

• adult carers (of children with care and support needs) who are eligible for a child’s carer’s assessment under section 60 of the Care Act
• young carers (carers aged under 18 who provide care for adults with care and support needs) who are eligible for a young carer’s assessment under section 63 of the Care Act 

12.2   The purpose of a child’s carer’s/young carer’s assessment is to provide advance information about whether or not the carer’s needs are likely to meet Care Act eligibility criteria when the cared for child / the young carer turn 18.

12.3   The council will assess the needs of a child’s carer or young carer where:

• the carer appears likely to need support when the cared for child/the young carer turn 18
• the assessment would be of significant benefit to the carer and
• the carer consents to have an assessment. We will respect the carer’s wishes if they would prefer not to have an assessment except where a young carer:
  • lacks capacity/is not competent to consent and we are satisfied that assessment is in their best interest, or
  • is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect

12.4   Young carers (or their parents) and child’s carers may request the relevant carer’s assessment.  The request should be made in time for the council to carry out the assessment and provide advice before the young carer / cared for child turns 18.

12.5   If the council declines a request for an assessment, we will provide:

• our written reasons for the decision, and 
• information and advice about what might help to prevent, reduce or delay the development of needs for support as a carer

12.6   Carers retain the right to request a new assessment even if they/the council have previously declined one.

12.7   Assessment will be appropriate and proportionate to the carer’s needs and circumstances. 

12.8   If all parties agree, the council may combine the assessment with another related assessment/ plan/review, such as for a cared for child’s health or educational needs.  

12.9   We will actively support carers to be involved in their assessment.   We will involve:

• a young carer’s parents
• any suitable adult that the carer (or their parents in the case of a young carer) wishes to be involved in their assessment 
• anyone needed to support involvement, such as an independent advocate

12.10   Carers with capacity to do so may complete a supported self assessment with the council provided in the case of a young carer that we agree that they are competent to do so and that given all the circumstances supported self assessment is appropriate. The council will provide materials, information and support as needed.  

12.11   Regardless of how the assessment is carried out, when the assessment process has been completed the council will:

• assure itself that assessment information is an accurate and complete reflection of the carer’s likely needs, how needs are likely to impact on their wellbeing and what they wish to achieve
• write to the carer to give an indication of  what their needs are likely to be when they/the cared for child turns 18 and which if any needs  are likely to meet Care Act eligibility criteria.  We will also provide information about what support may be available to them if needs are likely to be ineligible

12.12   When the young carer/cared for child turns 18, the council may decide to use the information gathered during the young carer’s / child’s carer’s assessment to inform a carer’s assessment under the Care Act (see section 6 Carer’s Assessment) depending on: 

• when the transition assessment occurred, and 
• whether or not the carer’s needs and circumstances have changed