Can SS refuse to do a Carers Assessment?

[AsTrueAsADogsLove]

At breaking point.
Have had to contact SS (been advised to by various bodies for some time) and spoke with child disability team worker today. Autistic teenage DC is abusive and violent towards me (and to a lesser extent DH) and verbally abusive to her younger sibling, occasional hitting too. Has been like this for some time, but I keep thinking there would be improvement any time as new medication took hold but it’s not happening.

Was told it Carers Assessment wasn’t worth it because it took a while to complete and be assessed (around 42 days) by which time my DC may be better (with new medication) and in any case all they could do would be offer respite care by how can that work if DC is refusing to leave the house?

I clearly said I can’t cope, but only advice is to call police.

Are they obliged to give an assessment? I wanted to be sure before I pressed the issue.

Many thanks.

*Also have this thread in Chat, but no responses there 😞

Yes - Section 97 of the Children & Families Act 2014 added section 17ZD into the Children Act 1989.

Local authorities must assess parent carers if:
- it appears to the authority that the parent carer may
have needs for support, or they
- receive a request from the parent carer to assess the
parent carer’s needs for support.

Information here:

contact.org.uk/media/925803/carers_assessments.pdf

Thank you very much, @Ellie56

Just had a look at your link and realise that it may not apply as I’m in Wales. I’ll google to see if there’s a Welsh equivalent.

It does take a long time. We get 5 hours oer week respite but it took six months to sort it all out

As Ellie has posted the criteria for an assessment are set in law.

Don't be put off of a carer's assessment by the LA. Much better to get the ball rolling and not need the support down the line than wish you had. Someone could provide respite in your home while you go out or have a bath uninterrupted etc.

I believe it does apply to Wales too. See here.

Thank you all so much.

Yes, I will get back in touch with SS and (gently) insist.
The fact sheet you linked to about Wales there was very useful, 10broken

I’m actually pretty angry now at being fobbed off.