If you provide unpaid care, you have the legal right to ask your local council for a Carer’s Assessment, under The Care Act 2014. This is not about judging how well you care, it is about looking at your needs and what support might make life easier.​

A carers assessment can look at:

  • How caring affects your health and wellbeing​

  • Whether you can take a break and have time for yourself​

  • Your need for practical help, equipment, or training​

  • Support to stay in or return to work, study, or leisure activities​

How to use this right:

  • Contact your local council and ask for a Carer’s Assessment. In Dorset this is through Dorset Council or BCP Council, depending on where you live.

  • You don’t need to live with the person you care for, and you don’t need to claim Carer’s Allowance to qualify​

  • The assessment may be carried out over the phone, online, or face to face

  • Following the assessment, the council should provide you with information, advice, and may offer services to support you

If you feel your right to request a carers assessment is not being met, you can contact:

  • SWAN’s Pan Dorset Carers Advocacy Service can support you to ensure the rights of you and your cared for are respected and your needs met. Visit Dorset – South West Advocacy Network and scroll down to ‘Carers Advocacy’ for their contact details, more information, and an online and printable referral form

Tip: Be honest about how caring impacts you, even if you usually cope. This helps ensure you get the right support.​ Remember that you won’t be forced to accept any help that is offered.

If you prefer to speak to somebody about your concerns, the two main carer support services in Dorset and their team of carers advisors are here for you:

If the person you care for lives in the Dorset Council area, contact Help & Care Call 0303 303 0153; email carers@helpandcare.org.uk; or visit www.helpandcare.org.uk

If the person you care for lives in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) area, contact BCP Carer Support. Call 01202 128 787, email carersupport@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or visit BCP Carer Support

More information on support for carers in Dorset generally: Carers – Our Dorset

For more information on your rights as a carer visit: Carers Rights Day | Carers UK

If you are a young carer, you may be interested in visiting this website which talks about your rights specifically: Know Your Rights: A Guide for Young Carers and don’t forget MyTime are here for you in Dorset: MYTIME Young Carers