Support for carers
Caring can be challenging, both mentally and physically. It is important to look after yourself as a carer and access the support that is available to you.
Understanding the support available
There are steps you can take to reduce some of the pressure you might have on your shoulders as a carer. Help may be available from your local authority, charity organisations and steps you can take to protect your own wellbeing.
Carers Assessments
If you are over 18 and provide regular unpaid care, you are entitled to a free carer’s assessment. It doesn’t matter what care you provide, and you don’t even need to care for a minimum number of hours a week.
This assessment will consider what care you provide, what you are beginning to struggle with and then explore what help is available.
Following the assessment you may be offered some additional support, including:
- home help services, such as cleaning
- specialist training for you as a carer, for example to help you move the person safely
- equipment or alterations around the home to make caring easier
- access to counselling services
- respite care for the person you support, so that you can spend time on yourself
- benefit guidance
- referrals to local carer support services
You can find details for your local authority to request a carers assessment, here: www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
Respite care
Sometimes, long-term care at home or a permanent move to a care home may not be necessary. Short-term respite care might be just the thing to help the person you care for recover after a stay in hospital or give you a break from caring.
You can read more about finding care services.
Temporary care from the NHS
If the person you care for has recently had a stay in hospital, the NHS may offer to sort out care to help them get back on their feet at home or in a care home. It’s free, usually lasts for up to six weeks, support you as their carer and help to reduce the chances they’ll need to go back into hospital.
Re-ablement care from your local authority
Similar to intermediate care, re-ablement offers support at home or in a care home for up to six weeks. It’s paid for by your local authority to help the person rebuild their confidence and live independently once they return home.
Paying for temporary care
To begin with, it’s always worth approaching the local authority or the person requiring care to ask about respite care. Some have voucher schemes offering a certain amount of free reduced-price respite care at home or in a care home throughout the year.
If their local authority doesn’t have any support like this, then they can charge for any care they arrange. For short-term care in a care home for up to eight weeks or temporary care up to 52 weeks, they can’t consider the value of the person's home. They must also make sure the person is left with enough income to cover the cost of maintaining their home, so it’s in a fit state when they’re ready to return.
Looking after yourself
Talk to someone
Talking to someone about how you feel is simple but can be surprisingly effective for your wellbeing. Sharing your feelings can help to reduce isolation and might help you get another perspective on any issues you might have. Try talking to someone you trust about how you feel, even if it feels difficult at first.
Support from your employer
Since April 2024, all employers must offer one week of unpaid carers leave. Additionally, you have a right to request flexible working. Many employers offer a range of benefits that can help support their working carers, such as:
- Employee Assistance Programmes
- Private Medical Insurance
- Care Concierge services
- Carers Networks
Finances
If you are providing regular unpaid care, both you and the person you support may be eligible for assistance through state benefits such as:
- Carers Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payments
- Universal Credit
- Council Tax Reductions, and more.
Read more about these benefits.
Further support
There are a number of organisations that specialise in supporting carers at a national and local level:
- Carers UK offer a national helpline and a searchable database of local carer support services.
- Carers Trust have a nationwide membership network, which you can search to find your local carers charity.
- Mobilise provide a free online carers network, allowing you to connect with thousands of other carers.