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Support for carers

If you care for an adult friend or family member, you may be able to get more help. This help will allow you to keep caring and to look after yourself.

To see what help we can offer you get in touch to request a carer's assessment. The assessment will help to decide what support you need and how much help we can give you.

Eligibility for an assessment

If you give unpaid care to someone who is over the age of 18 ask for a carer's assessment.

'Caring' for someone covers lots of different things, including:

  • helping with their washing, dressing or eating
  • taking them to regular appointments
  • keeping them company when they feel lonely or anxious.

If this sounds like you, you are a 'carer'.

You can have a carer's assessment even if the person you care for does not get any help from the council, and they will not need to be assessed.

You don't need the permission of the person you are caring for to request a carer's assessment. You are entitled to ask for one in your own right.

However, you can request a combined assessment - where you will be assessed at the same time as the person you care for has their needs assessment.

Request an assessment

If you are a young carer under 18, contact Kent Young Carers.

If you are over 18, to ask for an assessment:

Carer's assessment factsheet (PDF, 118.3 KB)

If the person you care for does not live in Kent County Council's area you should contact the council covering the area where they live.

During the assessment

A carer's assessment is about you and your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. It's an informal discussion that can happen face to face or over the telephone at a time that's convenient for you.

We'll talk to you about the ways that caring affects your life and what could make things better for you and the person you look after.

You won't need to do a financial means test as part of the carer's assessment but you might be asked about what impact the cost of caring is having on your finances. Having a carer's assessment will not affect whether or not you receive a carer's allowance.

After the assessment

We'll use what you tell us during your assessment to produce a support plan to help you carry on doing the things that are important to you and your family. The plan will detail what help from the council you are entitled to, as well as other places to get help.

The support plan may offer practical support, like arranging for someone to step in when you need a short break, or financial support if you're eligible, such as a direct payment to spend on the things that make caring easier. We may also suggest local support groups so you have people to talk to.

If your needs change after we've made your support plan, get back in touch and we'll speak to you about what steps to take next.