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Letters and templates

Request a carer’s assessment

Write down what you do, the effect on you and the help you need. Then copy, download or print a request to send to the relevant council or Health and Social Care Trust.

Ask for support for yourself

This template is for an adult providing unpaid support to another adult. The assessment looks at your own needs and what caring involves. It is separate from a benefits application and does not guarantee a particular service or funding.

  • England: ask the adult social care team at the council for the person you support for a carer’s assessment.
  • Wales: ask your own council for a carer’s needs assessment.
  • Scotland: ask the relevant council social work service for an adult carer support plan.
  • Northern Ireland: ask the person’s Health and Social Care Trust for a carer’s assessment.

[1]

Find a council · Find a Northern Ireland Trust.

If essential care cannot continue today, follow these steps to report the gap. Do not wait for someone to read this request.

This page does not send or save your entries. Copy, download or print the draft before leaving. Your browser may restore fields when you return, so use “Clear entries and draft” on a shared device.

Write the details

Use your own words. Leave a box blank if you want a prompt to complete later.

Choose the nation whose service you are asking. If you and the person you support live in different UK nations, ask the relevant council or Trust to confirm responsibility.

For example: my adult daughter, my partner or a friend.

Town or council area. You can add identifying details privately before sending.

Include practical help, emotional support and interrupted nights.

For example: your health, work, sleep, studies or relationships.

Be specific about any gap. A written request is not an urgent alert.

For example: breaks, help with particular tasks or a backup arrangement.

Communication, timing, access needs or someone you want with you.

You can leave this blank and add contact details after downloading.

Why we say this: sources and explanations
  1. The four UK assessment routes

    Carers UK: carer assessments explains the four nations, the responsible council or Trust and what assessments consider. Wales uses the carer’s own council. Cross-border responsibility may need checking with the services. The request wording is ours and is not an official application form.

    Back to the advice

Independent information, not a medical or crisis service. This guidance has not been clinically reviewed. How we use sources.

Last full source check: 2 October 2026