ASSESSMENT
Ask your council for a carer's assessment
The NHS says a carer's assessment is free and anyone over 18 can ask for one. It looks at how caring affects your health, work, free time and relationships.
How to askStart
A GUIDE FOR UNPAID CARERS
When caring
gets heavy.
If you look after someone who is ill, disabled or older, you are a carer, even if it just feels like family life.
Caring can be hard and it can be lonely. There is official help you can ask for. This independent guide sets out what the NHS, GOV.UK and the ONS say, with links, so you can find the right door to knock on.
5.0munpaid carers, 2021
See how many careKeep in mind
- You count as a carer
- An assessment is free
- Breaks are allowed
- Help exists, and you can ask for it
THE SHORT ANSWER
Three things
worth knowing.
You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
Helping with shopping, bills or company all counts.
BREAKS
Respite is part of the plan
Respite care means someone else looks after the person for a while. Options range from a volunteer sitting for a few hours to a short care-home stay.
Types of break
HOW MANY
You are far from alone
Census 2021 counted an estimated 5.0 million people aged 5 and over giving unpaid care in England and Wales.
See the hoursGeneral information only, not medical advice. For advice about your own health, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified health professional.
A QUICK HOURS CHECK
How many hours
do carers give?
Pick a band of weekly caring hours to see how many people in England and Wales reported it in the 2021 Census. The bar shows the hours, not the number of people.
Usual residents aged 5 and over in England and Wales who said they provide unpaid care in a typical week.
TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
How many care,
and how much.
Both figures come from the 2021 Census
for England and Wales.
5.0 million
People giving unpaid care
That is an age-standardised 9.0% of usual residents aged 5 and over, down from 11.4% in 2011. The share was higher in Wales (10.5%) than in England (8.9%).
ONS · CENSUS 2021
1.5 million
Caring 50 or more hours a week
The overall share of people caring fell, but the proportion giving 20 to 49 hours rose from 1.5% to 1.9%, and 50 hours or more from 2.7% to 2.8%.
ONS · CENSUS 2021
Carer's Allowance on GOV.UK, as read on 19 October 2026: £86.45 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. Conditions apply, including earnings of £204 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses. Check GOV.UK for current rules; this site cannot tell you whether you qualify.
FOUR STEPS THE NHS DESCRIBES
Asking for
a carer's assessment.
This is the route the NHS sets out for carers in England. It is free, and separate from any assessment for the person you care for.
Step 1
Contact your council
Ask adult social services at your local council for a carer's assessment, by phone or online. For a disabled child, contact the children with disabilities department.
Step 2
Get your details ready
Have your NHS number, your GP's details and, if you have them, the name, date of birth and NHS number of the person you care for.
Step 3
Talk about the impact
Someone from the council will ask how you are coping. Assessments are usually face to face and last at least an hour. You can bring a friend, relative or advocate.
Step 4
Get the results
If you qualify, the council writes a care and support plan with you. If not, it should give free advice on help in your community. You can complain if you disagree.
TAKING A BREAK
Rest is
part of caring.
The NHS describes respite care as a way to take time out and stop yourself becoming exhausted and run down. The main types are day care centres, homecare from a paid carer, a short stay in a care home, help from friends and family, respite holidays and sitting services.
Councils only fund respite for people they have assessed as needing it, so the NHS suggests both you and the person you look after have an assessment. If things feel too much, Samaritans can be called free, any time, on 116 123. Carers UK's free helpline, listed by the NHS, is 0808 808 7777.
Questions
Questions on the way
Am I a carer?
The NHS says you are a carer if you regularly look after someone because they are ill, older or disabled, including family members. Help with washing, shopping, bills, appointments or simply keeping them company all counts.
Who can have a carer's assessment?
According to the NHS, it is free and anyone over 18 can ask for one, through adult social services at their local council in England.
What might an assessment recommend?
The NHS gives examples such as someone to take over caring so you can have a break, help with taxi fares or housework, training in safe lifting, local support groups and advice about benefits.
What is Carer's Allowance?
A benefit set out on GOV.UK for people caring at least 35 hours a week for someone who gets certain benefits. Eligibility rules apply, and it can affect other benefits, so check GOV.UK. In Scotland, Carer Support Payment applies instead.
Is this site run by a church or charity?
No. It is an independent information guide. It does not give medical, legal or financial advice, and it is not linked to any church, charity or council.
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