Are you a carer?
A carer provides help to someone else who needs it. This may be physical, emotional or social care. It may involve a lot of daily input or more occasional help.
A carer may live with the person that they help, or they may be some distance away. Carers can be of any age and provide the help voluntarily. The person they help may be:
- A child or older son/daughter
- A spouse or partner
- A parent of other relative
- A brother or sister
- Someone who is not related to them
Some facts about carers....
- 1 in 8 adults cares in some way
- 30% of these provide care for more than 20 hours a week
- Some children also help care for a family member
Rights for carers
Carers have the right to an assessment of their need in their own right.
Local authorities must carry out a separate assessment to that of the person being cared for, and the needs of the carer are taken into account when deciding what services to provide to the person in need of care.
A carer does not have to be the sole carer in order to ask for an assessment.
Under the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995.
Carers have the right to an assessment of their need in their own right. Local authorities must carry out a separate assessment to that of the person being cared for, and the needs of the carer are taken into account when deciding what services to provide to the person in need of care. A carer does not have to be the sole carer in order to ask for an assessment.
