1. Assessing the needs of young carers
Supporting Information for use with ‘No Wrong Doors’ local memorandum of understanding

2. About the guidance
Developed to provide assistance to those who work in adult services when working with young carers
Cross agency document: Children’s Society, ADASS, ADCS, DofE, Carers Trust

3. Good practice
Recognise and establish variations in child development as a result of caring
Speak to the child alone
Think about preparation and how ready a child is to confide in an unfamiliar person
Think about best way to encourage child to express wishes and feelings
Observe how they relate to parents and siblings
With child’s agreement talk to the teacher and other relevant adults
Starting point for any assessment: Children are children first

4. Parenting capacity How parent responds to child
How this response influences quality of relationship
How parental health impacts on their capacity to meet child’s needs
Impact of their past experiences on ability to understand and respond to child’s needs
Ability to recognise parenting difficulties and capacity to change/accept help

5. Dimensions of parenting capacity
Basic Care
Ensuring Safety
Emotional Warmth
Stimulation
Guidance and Boundaries
Stability

6. Young carers capacity Does their caring role limit:
Are any of their responsibilities inappropriate, in view of the child’s age and circumstances
Is the young carer giving ‘excessive care’
Their educational opportunities
Building relationships and friendships
Their physical health and emotional wellbeing

7. Dimensions of children’s needs
Child Safeguarding and promoting welfare
Parenting Capacity
Family and Environmental Factors
Child’s developmental needs