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Caring for someone

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Am I a carer?

A carer is someone who provides support to an adult family member or friend who could not live independently, or whose health would deteriorate without this help. 

You might not recognise yourself as a carer; instead you are mother, father, brother, sister, daughter, son, husband, wife, partner, friend and so on. You might help them to wash, dress, eat, to get to medical appointments, or keep them company when they feel lonely or anxious.

It is really important to look after yourself in order to be able to support another person. Lots of people in the UK are carers, you are not alone.  On this page you will find suggestions about how you can find support and services in your caring role.

Carers Trust

Carers Trust logo

Carers Trust is commissioned by Peterborough Council to provide advice, guidance and servces to carers.

You can also find lots of information about events for carers.

Carers Register

Carers Register image

Carers may sign up to receive helpful information about new services, carer related events and a six monthly carers newsletter.

To sign up please email adultsocialcare@peterborough.gcsx.gov.uk or telephone Adult Early Help on 01733 747474.

Carers Assessment

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As a carer, you are entitled to an assessment regardless of the amount or type of care you provide, your financial means or your level of need for support.  You can have an assessment whether or not the person you care for has already undertaken an individual needs assessment, regardless of the outcome.

If you would like a Carers Supported Self Assessment form, please contact Adult Early Help on 01733 747474 option 4.  You can find guidance notes on the Carers Supported Self Assessment on this page.

Carers Eligibility

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As a carer you may be eligible for support from the council, whether or not the adult you care for has eligible needs.

Criteria

These three questions are used to work out whether you are eligible for carers support from the council:

  1. Do your needs arise because you are providing necessary care for an adult?
  2. Do these needs mean you are unable to achieve any of the tasks or 'outcomes' below?
  3. As a result of this, is there likely to be a significant impact on your wellbeing?

You must meet all three of the criteria stated above to be eligible.

Outcomes

We will look at whether you are unable to do any of the following tasks as a result of your caring duties;

  • carry out caring responsibilities for a child as well as the adult you are caring for
  • provide care to other people you are responsible for
  • maintain a habitable and safe home environment for yourself    
  • manage your own nutrition
  • maintain family or other personal relationships   
  • take part in work, training, education or volunteering   
  • make use of facilities or services in your local community
  • have free time for hobbies and relaxation

Breaks and Emergency Support for Carers

Three people

The Emergency Support for Carers Service is in place to help carers of adults if an emergency arises.  

The purpose of this service is to arrange temporary replacement care for someone who is dependent on a carer for providing ‘necessary care’. 

The service is for a maximum of 48 hours (longer if the emergency happens over a bank holiday or weekend period) and, for those in eligible circumstances, support is free of charge. The service will normally take place in the home of the adult being cared for. 

If you, or someone you know, would benefit from being added to the Emergency Support for Carers Service please contact Adult Early Help on 01733 747474 or email  adultsocialcare@peterborough.gov.uk.

The service can offer peace of mind by providing a service during such unplanned events as:

  • a carer being admitted to hospital or having other urgent health needs
  • there being a family emergency (for example, if a close relative is taken ill)
  • there being a risk to the carer’s employment on a particular occasion; or
  • a carer needing to attend the funeral of a close friend or relative.

If you prefer you can download a paper copy from this page and post it back to us.

Financial Advice for Carers

Carers UK brochures

If you are 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours a week looking after someone with substantial caring needs, you may be entitled to a carers allowance. Further information can be accessed via carers allowance. 

Additionally, there could also be support with housing costs for you, or the person you care for, which could include extra help from energy suppliers, help with mortgage payments or council tax support. For more information visit the carers trust website.

Carers UK has a wide range of useful financial advice for carers.

Family Carers Prescription

Health professional talking to a patient

Family carers of any age can approach their GP for a prescription that provides access to a specialist worker at Carers Trust who will support you, offer information and advice and work with you to design a short break from your caring responsibilities.

Information can be found on Carers Trust.

Young Carers

Woman in wheelchair with child

Young carers are children and young people under 18, whose lives are affected by caring for a member of their family. They may care for a relative who has a physical or learning disability, a long term illness, a terminal condition, mental ill health, or difficulties with drug or alcohol use.  

Most young carers look after one of their parents or care for a brother or sister. They do extra jobs in and around the home, such as cooking, cleaning, or helping someone to get dressed and move about. Young carers may feel good about the help that they give and be proud of the skills they have, however, caring may also impact on:

  • their attendance at school or college
  • completing homework and gaining qualifications
  • taking part in after school club, school trips or residential opportunities
  • enjoying time with friends or taking part in hobbies
  • their own mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Young people under 18 should not undertake inappropriate or excessive caring roles that have an impact on their development and wellbeing. So that we can effectively support young carers, we:

  • identify young carers at the earliest opportunity to ensure support services are developed for a whole family approach
  • support young carers to achieve their potential and have equal access as their peers to education, careers choices and broader opportunities
  • safeguard young carers from inappropriate and excessive caring responsibilities.

Young carers support

Carers Trust is a local organisation that has been commissioned by us to provide a range of support to help 8 to 25 year olds caring for a family member to have a break from their caring role and have fun with other young carers or young adult carers. 

Know Your Rights - Support for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers in England

There are different rights for young carers and young adult carers for them to get support depending on their age. In this guide you can find out about what rights you have and how to get more support

If you need to talk to someone about what options are available, Carers Direct advisers can give you information to help make decisions about your personal support needs and the needs of the person you are looking after. 

Carers at Work

Carers Trust logo

Three million people (1 in 9 of the workforce) combine caring for a loved one with paid work.

However, the significant demands of caring mean that many are forced to give up work altogether, due to lack of rights, flexibility and high quality services at home. Carers need to be supported so they are able to juggle work and care and to enable them to return to work if they wish.  

Contact Carers Trust for support for working carers.

Survey of Adult Carers

Every two years the Department of Health produces a national survey called ‘Caring for Others’ for Adult Social Care departments to send to people who are caring for someone who uses social care support services. On this page are the results of the 2016/17 survey.

Videos

Ena - Being a carer, supporting the system
Sharon - Being a carer, supporting the system
Loretta - being a carer, supporting the system

 Adults Information Service

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