Adult Social Care Glossary, v 0.6

A YOUNG CARER'S ASSESSMENT under S.63 Care Act 2014 is carried out where it "appears to a local authority that a young carer is likely to have needs for support after becoming 18" (though it can also cover the needs which the young carer has before turning 18).

A YOUNG CARER'S NEEDS ASSESSMENT under S.17ZA Children Act 1989 is carried out "if—(a) it appears to the authority that the young carer may have needs for support, or (b) the authority receive a request from the young carer or a parent of the young carer to assess the young carer's needs for support."

S.17ZC (c) of the Children Act states that the local authority must "decide... whether or not" to meet any needs identified through a Young Carer's Needs Assessment - so there is no statutory guarantee of eligibility for support for a carer under 18.

The Young Carers (Needs Assessments) Regulations 2015 come under the Children Act 1989, but are consistent with the Care Act 2014 in terms of overall approach.