Carers

Information for carers (unpaid and family carers)

What is a carer?

Carers look after family, partners or friends who are ill, frail, have a disability, or need help because of substance misuse. They don’t get paid for the help they provide.

What help can I get as a carer?

• Time off to enable you to have time to yourself to do the things you want to do
• Carer’s vouchers to arrange your own time off
• Direct Payments to pay for someone to help you or something to make your life easier
• A carer’s emergency card to carry with you: if you had an emergency or you were ill an emergency agreed plan would be put into action right away
• Carers’ training such as moving and handling

Tell your GP you're a carer

They will put your carer's status on your medical notes which will help the doctor to understand if your health is affected by your caring role.

Carers assessment

You may be entitled to an assessment if you care for someone and it has an impact on your wellbeing.

This will give you a chance to talk about the support you need and the impact that being a carer may be having on your life. This may include areas such as your health, social life, ability to work or just having time for yourself.

You can also ask your doctor to make a referral.

Young carers

For more information about help and support for young carers nationally, visit the NHS.UK website.