You matter too

Parent Well-being & Emotional Support

Fighting for the right support is exhausting, and carer burnout is real. These services understand the systemic stress of SEND parenting — they're free, confidential, and here whenever you need a release valve.

If you're in crisis right now, call Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7) or text SHOUT to 85258. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999.

Family Action — FamilyLine

Free, confidential emotional support and guidance for any parent or carer in England and Wales.

0808 802 6666 Text 07537 404 282 familyline@family-action.org.uk

Mon–Fri, 9am–7pm

Out of hours in a crisis: text FAMILYACTION to 85258 (free, 24/7, with Shout)

Visit the service

Contact — Listening Ear

Free 1-to-1 phone appointments with an adviser who is also a parent of a disabled child.

Helpline 0808 808 3555

Book a 45-minute slot online

Book a Listening Ear appointment

Scope — Navigate

A free 6-week programme pairing you with a personal adviser for your own emotional wellbeing (for a diagnosis in the last 12 months, or on the pathway to one).

0808 801 0510 navigate@scope.org.uk

Self-refer online

Refer yourself to Navigate

Your legal rights as a carer

The Parent Carer Needs Assessment (PCNA)

You have your own legal right to support — separate from your child's EHCP or social care plan. Many parents never hear about it.

The mandate

Under the Children and Families Act 2014 (s.17ZD Children Act 1989), any parent caring for a disabled child under 18 has a legal right to a Parent Carer Needs Assessment from their council — even if you've never asked for support before.

The focus

It looks purely at you: your health, your physical and emotional wellbeing, and whether you can take regular breaks from caring — not just your child's needs.

The outcome

A PCNA can unlock council-funded support: direct payments for a personal assistant, carer sitting services, short breaks, or funded leisure and stress-relief.

How to ask: contact your council's Children with Disabilities social care team and request a “Parent Carer Needs Assessment.” Find your local social care and casework contacts in My Local Area.

Ready-to-send letter

Request your PCNA in one click

Copy this template, fill in the [bracketed] parts, and email it to your council's Disabled Children's team. It cites the statutory duty so they can't ignore it.

Subject: Formal Request for a Parent Carer Needs Assessment - Children and Families Act 2014

Dear Director of Children's Services / Disabled Children's Social Care Team,

I am writing to formally request a Parent Carer Needs Assessment under Section 97 of the Children and Families Act 2014. I am the parent carer of [Child's Full Name], born on [Child's Date of Birth], who has special educational needs and disabilities.

Under Section 97, the Local Authority has an absolute statutory duty to assess whether a parent carer has needs for support, and if so, what those needs are. This duty is triggered automatically when a parent carer requests an assessment.

The caring responsibilities for my child are having a significant impact on my personal well-being, emotional safety, and physical health. The physical and mental demands of managing daily care, sensory dysregulation, and navigating statutory provisions mean that my ability to sustain this level of care is being compromised without formal support and regular respite.

I look forward to hearing from you within the statutory 14 days with the name of the assigned social care worker and a confirmed date for my assessment interview.

Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Number & Address]

Also saved in your Letters library.

For a young carer sibling

Young Carer's Needs Assessment letter

If a sibling under 18 helps care for your disabled child, they have their own right to an assessment. Copy this letter, fill in the [bracketed] parts and send it to your council's Young Carers service.

Subject: Formal Request for a Young Carer's Needs Assessment - Children and Families Act 2014

Dear Young Carers Service / Children's Social Care Team,

I am writing to request a Young Carer's Needs Assessment for [Young Carer's Full Name], born on [Date of Birth], under Section 17ZA of the Children Act 1989 (as inserted by Section 96 of the Children and Families Act 2014).

[Young Carer's Name] regularly helps to care for their sibling [Sibling's Name], who has special educational needs and disabilities. This includes [describe caring role, e.g. emotional co-regulation, supervision, personal or practical care]. The Local Authority has a duty to assess a young carer's needs for support on the appearance of need, without waiting for a formal request.

I am concerned about the impact of this caring role on [Young Carer's Name]'s own wellbeing, education and time to be a child. Please carry out an assessment and let me know what support is available, such as young carer respite activities, peer mentoring, and support in school.

I look forward to hearing from you with the name of the assigned worker and a date for the assessment.

Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Number & Address]

Also saved in your Letters library.

Support for brothers & sisters

Siblings of disabled children carry a lot too. These services help them feel seen and supported.

Sibs UK

The only UK charity for siblings of disabled children and adults — parent guides, young sibling networks and school resources to ease isolation.

Visit sibs.org.uk

Young Carers — statutory rights

If a sibling under 18 regularly helps care for their disabled brother or sister, they're a Young Carer with a legal right to their own Young Carer's Needs Assessment (Children and Families Act 2014) — which can unlock respite clubs, mentoring and school support.

Find your local Young Carers service