Being a carer can be rewarding, but it can also be isolating, tiring and have an impact on your health, wellbeing and finances. But changes to the law mean that you might be missing out on support that you are entitled to.
Are you a carer?
Do you provide help and support to a partner, relative, child, friend or neighbour who could not manage without your help due to physical or mental illness, disability, frailty or addiction?
A carer is someone who provides unpaid support to a person who could not manage without this help. This could be caring for someone who has a long term physical or mental health condition, a disability or someone who misuses substances.
What is a carer’s assessment?
The Care Act 2015 has a new wellbeing principle which means that local authorities should always have a person’s wellbeing in mind when making decisions about them or planning services.
As a carer you have a right to an assessment of your own needs if you provide a substantial amount of care on a regular basis.
This can be done even if the person you care for doesn’t want an assessment or has declined any support previously.
All carers over 18 years old who have a need for support are entitled to a carer’s assessment. This is not affected by the amount or type of care you provide, your financial situation or your level of need for support. There are three questions that the local council will need to consider when making their decision. If you answer ‘yes’ to all three questions then you will have eligible needs:
- Are your needs the result of you providing necessary care?
- Does your caring role have an effect on you?
- Is there, or is there likely to be, a significant impact on your wellbeing?
Don’t forget that children can be carers too. All young carers under the age of 18 have a right to an assessment regardless of who they care for, what type of care they provide or how often they provide it. If you want to request a carer’s assessment for yourself or on behalf of a child, contact your local council.
Quick tips for carers
- Register with your GP as a carer and have an annual health check.
- Get yourself a Carer’s Emergency Card. Cards are free to carers and the card can also be used to access benefits and discounts.
- Find out more on the Carers Support Centre’s website.Make sure you are receiving the right financial support. You can read more about the Carer’s Allowance on the Carers UK website.
- Talk to other carers who will understand how you are feeling - phone the Carers UK helpline or have a look at their website.
- Talk to your employer and let them know you are a carer for someone. Be clear about your rights. The right to request flexible working has now been extended to cover all employees with 26 weeks’ service or more.
More information
- Carers Direct A free nationwide service offering information, advice and support for carers. Tel: 0300 1231053; ww.nhs.uk/CarersDirect
- Carers Support Centre Information and advice to carers of any age living in the Bristol and South Gloucestershire area. Tel: 0117 965 2200; www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk
- Carers Support Centre - Young Carers Information, advice, services and activities focused on supporting young carers. Tel: 0117 939 2562; www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk/young-carers
- Rethink Carers Service Support services for carers of people with mental health issues. Tel: 0117 353 2042; www.rethink.org/bristolcarers
- Bristol City Council Information and advice on how to get a carers assessment. Tel: 0117 352 1668; www.bristol.gov.uk/social-care-health/carers
- Carers UK Information about the Carer’s Allowance. Tel: 0808 808 7777; www.carersuk.org
Bristol Community Health carers’ support
We are passionate about finding out more about the challenges carers face, and what’s important to them.
Last year, we ran focus groups for carers in partnership with the Carers Support Centre. One carer said: “It’s a long journey and we’re still learning. It was a nightmare in the beginning. We didn’t know anything – where to go for help or what we should be doing.” We found that many others from the focus group were in a similar situation.
If you are a carer and would like to shape our services by coming to events or focus groups, join our Participation Community. Contact Jennifer O’Malley on 0117 9002146 or email [email protected]
Have a look in our Patients and Carers area of the website for information and other resources for carers.