Assessments for young carers (Scotland)

All young carers can ask for a Carers Assessment in their own right as a carer under the Community Care and Health Act (Scotland) 2002. They are entitled to an assessment whether or not the person they look after is being assessed for Community Care Services.  Social Work must give the assessment requested. Young Carers can also get an Assessment as “a child in need” under the Children Act (Scotland)1995.

Whichever Act you assess a young carer under, there are useful child-friendly tools available:

The Guidance accompanying the Health and Community Care (Scotland) 2002, (Section 9 Young Carers) sets out how to implement this new legislation, and support carers as key partners in providing care.  It gives details of the assessment process including who should be assessed, who should assess young people, a different definition of “substantial and regular” for young people and how young carers assessments should interact with Children Act assessments and with assessments of parents.

See The Guidance accompanying the Health and Community Care (Scotland) 2002, (Section 9 Young Carers): and Performance Measures for Young Carers Assessments.