A carer is someone who cares for a family member or friend who needs help with everyday living. The carer is not paid for doing this.
As a carer, you have rights under the Care Act of 2014. You may be entitled to claim a benefit called Carer's Allowance.
A carer who needs support to carry out their role as a carer can ask for their own assessment by the local council. This Carer's Needs Assessment is specifically about the carer's needs - and is not about those of the person they care for:
- Carer's Assessment (Carers UK)
www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/practical-support/getting-care-and-support/carers-assessment - How to look after yourself whilst caring for someone else (Healthwatch UK)
Contact the social services department of the council covering the area where the person you care for lives, and ask for a needs assessment.
- If you live within the boundaries of Liverpool City Council, The Brain Charity provides their Carers Advocacy service.
More advice and support
- Carers UK
Charity giving carers information, advice and support
www.carersuk.org
• Find your local support - Carers Trust
Charity for, with, and about carers
https://carers.org - Carers Direct
Free helpline for carers on 0300 123 1053 (Mon-Fri 9am-8pm; Sat and Sun 11am-4pm). You can ask for a translator.
You can also get help by email.
More information
- Care Act Guide (Disability Rights UK)
www.disabilityrightsuk.org/care-act-guide - Carers: help and support (Citizens Advice)
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/looking-after-people/carers-help-and-support - Looking after someone? Know your rights (Healthwatch UK)
www.healthwatch.co.uk/advice-and-information/2016-01-25/looking-after-someone-know-your-rights - Carers' rights at work (Which? website)
www.which.co.uk/later-life-care/carers-and-caring/carers-rights-at-work - Parents and carers: Workplace advice and guidance (Acas)
www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1362 - Carers' assessments - help for parent carers (Contact charity)
https://contact.org.uk/media/1163492/carers_assessments.pdf - Carers (Gov.uk)
www.gov.uk/browse/disabilities/carers - Know your Rights: Support for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers in England
https://carers.org/know-your-rights-support-young-carers-and-young-adult-carers-england
Visit our library to read our copy of the Disability Rights UK booklet Your Guide to the Care Act: What you need to know about social care in England.
