The criteria for assessment as a parent carer are primarily and statutorily linked to being able to identify the children as one with a disability.

We use the statutory Children Act 1989 definition of disability.

For the purposes of the duties to vulnerable children and their families, the definition of disability as set out in Children Act 1989 section 17 (11) is applicable – "A child is disabled if he/she is blind, deaf or dumb or suffers from a mental disorder of any kind or is substantially and permanently handicapped by illness, injury or congenital deformity or other disability that maybe prescribed."

You are a parent carer if you provide care to a child under 18 who suffers from the following:

blind: Where a child is registered blind or partially sighted
deaf: Where a child is registered deaf or hard of hearing
dumb: Where a child has lost the ability to speak or was born without the ability to speak
congenital deformity: This includes a broad range of congenital abnormalities existing from birth. Although these abnormalities are permanent in nature, some may not cause substantial need
mental disorder: Any disability of the mind as defined in the Mental Health Act 2007 and including developmental disorders such as ADHD, Autism, Asperger Syndrome and OCD
illness: The child / young person has a substantial and permanent disability caused by illness e.g. polio or injury caused by a car accident or self harm
learning disability: The child/young person has a substantial and permanent learning disability (defined as a state of arrested or incomplete development of the mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning)

In this statutory definition, the reference "of any kind" refers to blind, deaf, dumb or mental disorders and the reference "Substantially and permanently" refers to handicapped, illness, injury or congenital deformity or other disability. In all situations when determining if a child has a disability, the effect of the impairment needs to be considered (Equality Act 2010). The child will be considered to have a disability if the impairment has lasted for at least 12 months, is likely to last for at least another 12 months or it is likely to last for the rest of the person's life.

The Equality Act sets out the following exclusion from the definition: Addiction to, or dependency on, alcohol, nicotine, or any other substance (other than in consequence of the substance being medically prescribed).

Mental disorders have their own definition and criteria as set out in the Mental Health Act 2007 in which the test for medical treatment includes the nature and degree (both of which have definitions).

The definition of mental disorder was changed by the MHA 2007, as of 3 November 2008, so that it is no longer split into the four classifications of mental illness, psychopathic disorder, mental impairment and severe mental impairment. It now states that "mental disorder" means any disorder or disability of the mind.

Any parent carer is entitled to an assessment if they feel they are or will be in need of support. The assessment will be carried about by the local authority in which that child lives.

Parent Carer Needs assessment