The care journey – carer support
A carer is anyone who spends time providing unpaid care for a family member, relative or friend who needs help due to an illness or disability.
People who provide care are sometimes in full-time work and juggling responsibilities at home.
You may find that caring is having a big impact on your wellbeing and everyday duties.
Sometimes carers need support, and you might not be aware of what kind of help is available. A carer’s assessment can help you find advice, support and information to see what might help make your life easier.
A carer’s assessment is a free service and is open to anyone who wants to discuss their needs as a carer and explore what support is available.
You do not need to live with the person you’re looking after or care for them full-time.
Carer’s assessments are separate to a care and support assessment and focus on the carer, rather than the person being cared for.
If you are aged under 18 and provide regular and ongoing care and emotional support to a family member, please visit your local authority’s children’s services webpages.
During a carer’s assessment you’ll discuss how caring responsibility impacts your ability to carry out other duties in your life. It will focus on you and whether you feel able to maintain relationships, engage in work, training, education, or volunteering as well as if you feel able to access facilities in your local community. It will also explore whether you have free time to do the things that are important to you and whether your caring role affects your health and wellbeing.
After the assessment your local authority will work with you to ensure the right support is available to you. This could be advice about benefits, receiving a one-off payment, help with household chores and day-to-day tasks, support groups and access to respite care.
There are a range of respite care options which will help to stop you from becoming run down and let you take a break to look after yourself.