How to Request a Carer’s Assessment in BCP: What to Say and What to Expect
- James Pite
- Jun 16
- 8 min read
If you are an unpaid carer living in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole, you have a legal right to a carer’s assessment. It does not matter how many hours you care, what your relationship is to the person you care for, or whether that person is receiving any support from BCP Council. The right belongs to you and it exists entirely independently of their situation.
Despite this, most carers in BCP never ask for one. Some do not know the right exists. Some have asked verbally and heard nothing back. Some were told they do not qualify, which is almost never accurate. This guide explains what a carer’s assessment is, what BCP Council is required to do, how to request one in writing so there is a clear record, and what to do if the council does not respond.
What a Carer’s Assessment Is
A carer’s assessment is a conversation with BCP Council’s adult social care team about how your caring role is affecting your life. It is not an assessment of how well you care. It is not a test. It is a structured opportunity for you to describe what your life looks like, what impact the caring is having on your health, your work, your relationships and your wellbeing, and what support might help.
Under Section 10 of the Care Act 2014, BCP Council has a legal duty to carry out a carer’s assessment for any carer who appears to have needs for support, or is likely to have such needs in the future. As BCP Council’s own guidance on support for carers confirms, if you are over 18 and provide regular unpaid care for someone, you can request a carer’s assessment. You have this right even if the person you care for does not want social care support, and even if BCP Council has decided they are not eligible for support themselves.
A carer’s assessment looks at your ability to provide care now and in the future, the impact of caring on your physical and mental health, whether you work or want to work, whether you are participating or want to participate in education, training or leisure, whether you have adequate time for rest and the things that matter to you, and what support or services might help you continue caring without it becoming damaging to your own wellbeing.
Who Can Request an Assessment in BCP
Any adult aged 18 or over who provides unpaid care for an adult in the BCP area
Young carers under 18 can request a young carer’s assessment through BCP Council’s children’s services
You can request an assessment even if the person you care for lives in a different part of BCP to you
You do not need a GP referral, a social worker or any professional to make the request on your behalf
You can request the assessment yourself, in writing, at any time
How to Request Your Assessment in Writing
BCP Council accepts carer’s assessment requests by phone, online and in writing. A written request is always better than a phone call because it creates a dated record of when you asked, what you said and what response you received. Many carers have made verbal requests that were not followed up, have been told to call back, or have had their request lost entirely. A letter puts the council on clear notice and starts the formal process.
Send your letter or email to BCP Council’s Adult Social Care team. The main adult social care contact number is 01202 123456. For written requests, address them to the Adult Social Care Access Team, BCP Council, Town Hall, Bournemouth, BH2 6DY. You can also submit via BCP Council’s online adult social care contact form.
Example request letter
[Your full name]
[Your address]
[Your contact details]
[Date]
Adult Social Care Access Team
BCP Council
Town Hall, Bournemouth, BH2 6DY
Subject: Request for Carer’s Assessment – [Your full name]
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to formally request a carer’s assessment under Section 10 of the Care Act 2014.
I am an unpaid carer for [name of person you care for], who lives at [their address if different from yours]. I provide [brief description of the care you provide, e.g. daily personal care, medication management, emotional support, hospital transport, overnight care]. I have been providing this care since approximately [date or year].
My caring responsibilities are having a significant impact on my [describe the impact honestly: physical health / mental health / ability to work / social life / sleep / ability to take breaks]. [Add any specific examples that illustrate this: I have not had a day away from caring in [X months] / I have reduced my working hours significantly / I am experiencing [health impacts] that I believe are connected to the demands of my caring role].
I understand that I am entitled to a carer’s assessment regardless of whether [name] is currently receiving support from BCP Council and regardless of the level of care I provide. I am asking you to arrange the assessment at a time and location that works for me.
Please confirm receipt of this request in writing and advise me of when the assessment will take place. I would appreciate a response within 10 working days.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
[Signature]
What Happens After You Request
Once BCP Council receives your request, they should acknowledge it and arrange a carer’s assessment. The assessment itself is a conversation, either in person, by phone or by video call, with a social care assessor. It should take place at a time and place that suits you. The person you care for does not need to be present.
During the assessment, the assessor will ask you about your caring role, the impact it has on your life, what matters to you and what support might help. Be honest. The assessment is your opportunity to describe things as they really are, not a watered-down version. Many carers understate their difficulties because they are proud of what they do or do not want to seem like they are complaining. The assessor cannot help if they do not know the full picture.
After the assessment, BCP Council must decide whether you have eligible needs as a carer under the Care Act 2014. If you do, they must produce a support plan setting out what support they will provide or arrange. This might include replacement care to give you a break, access to services through BCP Carer Support, signposting to local groups, or other practical assistance. If BCP Council decides your needs do not meet the eligibility threshold, they must tell you in writing with their reasons, and must still give you information and advice about what support is available locally.
If BCP Council Does Not Respond
If you have sent a written request and have not received an acknowledgement within ten working days, send a follow-up letter referencing your original request and the date you sent it. Note that the Care Act imposes a legal duty to carry out the assessment and that you expect a response.
If the council refuses to carry out an assessment, or tells you that you do not qualify, this is almost certainly incorrect. Any carer who appears to have needs for support, or is likely to have such needs, is entitled to an assessment under the Care Act. The threshold is very low. A refusal can be challenged through BCP Council’s complaints procedure and, if that does not resolve the matter, through the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Support Available to Carers in BCP
BCP Carer Support is the local organisation commissioned by BCP Council to provide information, advice and practical support to unpaid carers across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. They can help you prepare for a carer’s assessment, accompany you to the assessment if you would find that helpful, and support you with accessing services once an assessment has been completed. Their details are available through the BCP Council support for carers page.
Nationally, Carers UK provides detailed guidance on carer’s assessments including what the assessor should ask, how to prepare, and what to do if the outcome is not what you expected. Their helpline is available on 0808 808 7777.
Help Writing a Carer’s Assessment Request Letter in BCP
Writing to BCP Council formally about something as personal as your caring role is not easy. Many carers find it difficult to describe the impact of caring in the kind of specific, evidenced language that prompts a proper response from a council. The letter feels either too clinical or too emotional, and neither works as well as a clear, measured account of what your life actually looks like.
LetterLab is based in Poole and helps carers across the BCP area write formal letters to councils, the DWP, the NHS and other public bodies. If you would like help putting your carer’s assessment request into words that are clear, specific and hard to ignore, get in touch.
LetterLab, Unit 157185, PO Box 7169, Poole, BH15 9EL
Visit LetterLab or get in touch directly. We are currently offering a small number of free letters in exchange for an honest review.
Frequently Asked Questions: Carer’s Assessments in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
How do I request a carer’s assessment from BCP Council?
Write to BCP Council’s Adult Social Care Access Team at Town Hall, Bournemouth, BH2 6DY, or contact them on 01202 123456. State that you are requesting a carer’s assessment under Section 10 of the Care Act 2014, describe your caring role briefly and ask them to confirm when the assessment will take place. A written request is better than a phone call because it creates a dated record.
Does BCP Council have to carry out a carer’s assessment?
Yes. Under the Care Act 2014, BCP Council has a legal duty to carry out a carer’s assessment for any carer who appears to have needs for support. The council cannot refuse simply because the person you care for has not had their own needs assessed or does not receive council support. The right belongs to you as the carer.
What do I say in a letter requesting a carer’s assessment in Poole or Bournemouth?
Include your name and address, the name and address of the person you care for, a brief description of the care you provide and how long you have been providing it, and an honest description of the impact caring is having on your health, work and daily life. State that you are requesting the assessment under Section 10 of the Care Act 2014 and ask them to confirm a date for the assessment in writing.
What happens if BCP Council doesn’t respond to my carer’s assessment request?
Follow up in writing, referencing the date of your original request. If there is still no response, make a formal complaint through BCP Council’s complaints procedure. If that does not resolve the matter, you can escalate to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, which investigates failures by councils to carry out their Care Act duties.
Can a local letter writing service help me request a carer’s assessment?
Yes. LetterLab is based in Poole and helps carers across the BCP area write formal letters to BCP Council and other public bodies. If you are unsure how to describe your situation or want help making sure your request is taken seriously, get in touch via letterwritingservice.co.uk.
Quick Checklist: Before You Send Your Request
Have you included your full name, address and contact details?
Have you named the person you care for and described your caring role briefly?
Have you described the impact of caring on your health, work or daily life honestly?
Have you referenced Section 10 of the Care Act 2014?
Have you asked BCP Council to confirm the assessment date in writing?
Are you sending the letter by email or recorded post so you have a dated record?
Have you kept a copy?
The Key Takeaway: Write It Down, Reference the Law, Follow Through
A carer’s assessment is not a favour BCP Council grants when it feels like it. It is a legal entitlement under the Care Act 2014. The threshold for triggering the assessment is low. All you need to show is that you provide unpaid care and that this may be having an impact on your life.
Write your request formally. Reference the Care Act. Ask for a written acknowledgement and a date. If BCP Council does not respond, follow up and, if necessary, complain. The legal framework is on your side. Use it.
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