Parent and carer support

Caring for a child or young person with additional needs or disabilities can mean you need support too. Find help for your own wellbeing, learn how to ask for an assessment of your support needs, and connect with other parent carers in Nottinghamshire.

Am I a carer?

You may think of yourself as a parent first, but if your child needs extra care or support because of their additional needs or disability, you are also a parent carer. This could include help with communication, personal care, emotional support or keeping them safe. You are a carer if you provide unpaid support to a family member, neighbour or friend.

Find support for carers (Nottinghamshire County Council).

Nottinghamshire County Council carer assessment and support

If your child is under 18

If your child has additional needs or disabilities and you have parental responsibility, you can ask for a parent carer’s needs assessment. This looks at how caring affects your health, wellbeing, work and family life, and what support you may need.

Your needs may be assessed alongside your child’s, but your own needs must still be considered. You can ask for an assessment even if your child is not already receiving support from children’s social care. For more information visit the Carers Hub Service website

As your child approaches 18

You can ask about a transition assessment to help plan for any support you may need when your child becomes an adult. You can find out more here about moving to adult services (Nottinghamshire County Council).

If your child is 18 or over

You can ask for a carer’s assessment under the Care Act. This looks at how caring affects you, whether you are able and willing to continue caring, and what support you may need. For more information visit Care and Support assessment (Nottinghamshire County Council)

To discuss your needs as a carer contact the Customer service team (Nottinghamshire County Council)

Parent and carer support groups and organisations

Carers Hub service

The Carers Hub is a free, confidential service supporting unpaid carers in Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire, including parent carers. It offers information, access to a dedicated support worker, opportunities to meet other carers and help with carers’ assessments.

Telephone: 0808 802 1777
WhatsApp or Text: 07814678460
Email: carershubinfo@carersfederation.co.uk

Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 9am–5pm; Friday, 9am–4.30pm

Visit the Carers Hub Service website

Parent and carer support services in our directory

Find details of groups and organisations that can support you and your family in our Parent and carer support directory listings.

To find details of support groups for specific conditions and disabilities visit our Support for conditions and disabilities directory listings.

Nottinghamshire Parent Carer Forum (NPCF)

Nottinghamshire Parent Carer Forum (NPCF) is an independent charity run by, and for, parent carers of children and young people aged 0–25 with additional needs or disabilities.

NPCF listens to parent carers and shares their views and experiences with local education, health and care services to highlight what is working well and where support needs to improve.

Its programme of workshops, wellbeing days and opportunities to meet other parent carers is shaped by what families say they want and need. It also offers a toy and sensory lending library and free peer support phone appointments for a listening ear and signposting.

Membership is free and open to parents and carers whose child lives in Nottinghamshire or uses services in the county. No diagnosis is needed. Members receive a monthly newsletter with events, SEND updates and ways to have their say.

Learn more, including how to become a member on the Nottinghamshire Parent Carer Forum website

Carers benefits

If your child or young person has additional needs or disabilities, there may be benefits or other financial help available to your family. What you can claim depends on your circumstances and the rules for each benefit.

Getting advice can help you check what you could claim and whether this would affect any benefits you already receive.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children (GOV.UK) help with extra costs for children under 16 who need more care or supervision than other children their age, or help getting around.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (GOV.UK) help with extra costs for young people aged 16 or over who have difficulties with daily activities or getting around.
Carer’s Allowance (GOV.UK) financial support for carers who meet the eligibility rules.
Carer’s Credit (GOV.UK) helps protect your State Pension if caring affects your ability to work.
Financial help for carers (Carers UK) information about other benefits and financial support.
Money and benefits (Carers Trust) information about benefits, grants and other financial support for carers.

For help checking what your family could claim, contact Nottinghamshire County Council’s Benefits Team.

If you are unable to use the form, contact the Customer service team (Nottinghamshire County Council).