Carer's assessments and other support from your Local Council

Many carents don’t see themselves as carers and find it difficult to see their caring role as separate from the relationship they have with the person for whom they care  eg parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, friend, etc 

Eventually, most people taking on a caring role realise that they are acting as a carer but it can take a while.  On average, it takes people around two years to acknowledge their role as a carer 

You are a carer if you look after someone regularly because they’re ill, ageing or disabled but you are not paid to do so.  

Anyone can be a carer  – including friends, relatives, spouses, parents – you don’t need to live with the person you are caring for and you do not need to provide full time care. 

The following activities count as being a carer: 

Helping with day to day activities such as:

• washing, dressing or taking medicines
• getting out and about and travelling to doctors’ appointments
• shopping, cleaning and laundry
• paying bills and organising finances

Providing emotional support by:

• sitting with someone to keep them company
• watching over someone if they can’t be left alone

The Care Act 2014, introduced legal requirements for Local Authorities (local councils) to provide support for carers. 

If you are in need of support, your Local Authority (local council) has a legal duty to carry out an assessment for you regardless of how much money you have or the amount of care you provide. 

After your assessment, the council will decide whether you meet their eligibility criteria for care and support and if you do, they are duty bound to develop a care and support plan for you.   

The plan lays out the level and nature of help you need and how that support will be provided.  The type of support is very variable and geared up to individual needs and financial means and might include financial support, practical support (such as respite care, a break for you, help with transport, referral to a carers support group), signposting to additional information, or support to help you protect and promote your own health and wellbeing.   It can cover:

• practical help with housework, maintenance or gardening
• training to develop your confidence and skills as a carer eg how to communicate with someone with dementia
• practical support to help with transport issues
• modifications to the home  – grab rails, ramps, etc 
• equipment for the home  – hoists, elevators etc 
• mental health or emotional support eg a referral to talking therapy or specialised counselling
• respite care for the person you care for so that you can have a break
• financial advice  – grants, benefits and allowances you might be entitled to
• help to improve your wellbeing through exercise, social activities, adult education

You can find out more about how to access an assessment, the relevant eligibility criteria and the support which might be provided to you in this fact sheets from Carers UK.