Parent carer needs assessment
The aim of a parent carer needs assessment (PCNA) is to give parents and carers of under 18 year olds, the chance to tell Children’s Services what could make looking after your disabled child easier. If your child is over the age of 18, you will need to contact our Preparing for adulthood team.
The assessment will be completed by a worker from Early Help or Children’s Social Care and they will discuss with you your preferred way of doing this. The assessment will also consider your wellbeing, health and safety issues and commitments that are important to you such as relationships, employment, or any other worries you might have without fear of being judged. It will look at options for support, advice, and assistance across all services in the city and beyond including universal services such as benefits advice, community support groups and online resources.
How to request a parent carer needs assessment
You can request an assessment at any time. You can also have your needs re-assessed if you have had a previous parent carer needs assessment (PCNA) and your needs or circumstances have changed.
However, if your child is having an assessment of their needs, either with an Early Help Assessment (EHA) or a Single Assessment, these assessments will consider the needs of the rest of the family members including parents, carers and siblings.
If you and your family are currently working with Children’s Services, you can ask for an assessment. If you aren't currently working with Children’s Services, you can request an assessment online or telephone our Initial Response Team (IRT) on 01332 641172.
We aim to complete PCNAs within 45 working days although this is likely to be sooner, especially if the assessment is a stand alone PCNA .
What happens after a parent carer needs assessment
Once the assessment has been completed, services may be identified to support you to better manage your caring responsibilities and issues which are important to you. If you are not already working with Children’s Services and a PCNA has identified on-going needs for yourself and your child, you may be referred for further assessment by another professional either through the Initial Response Team or the IDCS dependent upon the child’s level of disability.