Carer's Allowance, short breaks and the local offer

Carer's Allowance

• £86.45 a week (2026/27) if you care for at least 35 hours a week for a child getting the middle or highest care rate of DLA.
• You can earn up to £204 a week after allowable deductions. Going even a penny over the limit stops it for that week, so check carefully.
• Only one person can claim for the same child. On Universal Credit you may get the carer element instead or as well. Ask Citizens Advice to check which leaves you better off.
• It gives you National Insurance credits. If you can't get Carer's Allowance, you may be able to get Carer's Credit.

A parent carer's needs assessment

Under section 17ZD of the Children Act 1989, the council must assess your needs as a parent carer if it appears you may need support, including when you ask. It should look at your wellbeing, whether you can work or study, and whether you can carry on caring.

Short breaks

Councils must provide a range of short breaks for carers of disabled children (day activities, evening and weekend clubs, holiday schemes, overnight care), and must publish a short breaks services statement explaining what's available and who qualifies. Some short breaks are open access. Others need an assessment of your child as a "child in need". You can often take support as a direct payment to employ your own personal assistant.

The SEND local offer

Every council must publish a "local offer" (section 30, Children and Families Act 2014) setting out the education, health, care, leisure and transport support available locally, and how to get it. Search "[your council] SEND local offer". Your local Parent Carer Forum can tell you what actually works locally.

Other help worth checking

• Family Fund: grants for families on low incomes raising a disabled or seriously ill child (for example white goods, sensory equipment, laptops, breaks).
• Disabled Facilities Grant: up to £30,000 in England for home adaptations. For a disabled child, it isn't means-tested.
• Council Tax Disabled Band Reduction if your home has a room or adaptation essential for your child.
• Blue Badge and Motability, linked to the higher mobility rate of DLA and to some other needs.
• Free childcare and holiday activity schemes: ask the council's Family Information Service about SEN inclusion funding.

Rates checked November 2026. They change each April. Sources: GOV.UK; Children Act 1989, ss.17 and 17ZD; Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children Regulations 2011.