Find out what support is available if you need to provide care for an adult because of issues such as:
- Mental or physical illness
- Disability
- Age
- Substance misuse problems
How to get support
If you provide care for someone and you need some help:
- Get in touch with us using the contact details on this page
- We'll carry out an assessment to understand how we can help and to make sure you meet the national guidelines
Check if you're eligible
The national guidelines state that you must meet the following 3 criteria:
- You need support because you're providing necessary care for another adult.
- You can't achieve one or more of the following because you're providing care for another adult:
- Caring for a child
- Continue to provide care to other people who need you
- Maintain a habitable environment at home, whether or not this is also the home of the adult you care for
- Manage and maintain your nutrition
- Maintain family and personal relationships
- Engage in work, training, volunteering and education
- Use facilities or services in the local community like leisure centres or community groups
- Engage in recreational activities
- As a result of providing care and not being able to achieve one or more of the above, your well-being is being affected.
What support is available?
There are ways we can help make your life as someone who cares for an adult a little easier, we can offer:
A carer's personal budget
A carer's personal budget is a payment that we give to you to help make your caring role a little easier. It gives you a greater choice and helps you take control over how your needs are met.
- The carer's personal budget can be up to £250.
- This payment will be paid by us into your bank account once in a 12-month period.
- The carer's personal budget can only be spent on you.
- You must spend the carer's personal budget within 12 months of receiving it.
- A carer's personal budget may be subject to an audit, which may require you to send all receipts and proof of purchases made with the money we give you.
Access to The Carer's Hub
The Carer's Hub exists to make sure that carers of all ages have access to information, advice and a wide range of support services.
Practical support
There are things we can do to make your life as a carer easier, for example, we can:
- Arrange for someone to step in if you feel like you need a short break.
- Put you in touch with local groups that can offer support, so you have people to talk to who are in similar caring roles.
What other support is available?
It's important to remember that you aren't alone and there are lots of ways to get help.
Carer's Allowance
If you're over 16 and spend over 35 hours a week caring for someone who gets certain benefits, you could get a Carer's Allowance from the government.
You can claim a Carer's Allowance and be entitled to help from us.
Other websites that can offer you support
You can find more useful information, advice and support at these websites: