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About Parent Carer Needs Assessments
We use the term ‘parent carer’ to describe a parent who provides unpaid care for a child with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) aged under 18.
As a parent carer, you’re legally entitled to a Parent Carers Needs Assessment (PCNA). The aim of this assessment is to find out what support you need and how to meet that need.
It’s our responsibility to carry out a PCNA when we’re aware that a parent carer may have support needs.
We may combine a PCNA with a Child and Family Assessment or carry out a standalone assessment.
Read our PCNA leaflet and pledge for a good assessment:
Request an assessment
Parent carers
If you or your family care for a disabled child and are supported by one of our social workers, they will offer you a Child and Family Assessment and PCNA at the same time.
You can also ask for a PCNA as a standalone assessment if they do not think you need a Child and Family Assessment.
If you or your family are not currently supported by one of our social workers and want to request a PCNA, contact our Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) to make a self-referral. Email mash-referrals@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or phone us on 0208 921 3172.
Other unpaid carers
If you care for a child or young person with SEND but are not their parent, email us at mash-referrals@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or phone us on 0208 921 3172.
Professionals
To refer a parent you are working with for a PCNA, you need to complete an inter-agency referral form.
Preparing for an assessment
Before your assessment, we recommend you read our Carers guide to Parent Carer’s Needs Assessments:
During an assessment
The assessment will involve one or more conversations between you and a member of our Children’s Social Care team. We’ll arrange this at a time that suits you.
For young people aged 16 or over, this will take place during their moving to adulthood assessment and planning.
The assessment considers your:
- child’s caring needs
- concerns and challenges
- home and family circumstances
- health and wellbeing
- options for accessing the appropriate support
To ensure you receive a thorough assessment, we may ask for your permission to speak with:
- the child you care for
- other family members
- services that already support you and your family
If you feel this is not appropriate, you have the right to refuse this request.
After your assessment
Your assessment will include details of the support you need and who can provide it. We’ll:
- write up your assessment and send you a copy
- signpost you to any relevant support
- make referrals for specialist support, if needed (once funding is agreed)
- review the assessment with you regularly to ensure it remains relevant and up to date
Support might include:
- benefits advice
- family support services
- health and wellbeing services
- leisure activities
- local support services
- short breaks
If your needs change
If your support needs change, contact us for an assessment review by email at mash-referrals@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or phone us on 0208 921 3172.