Support for carers
A carer is someone who provides care or support to someone who can't manage on their own. This may be due to their health, disability, learning disability, mental health, dementia, or alcohol or substance misuse.
There are different types of carers. For example
- someone aged 18 or over who looks after someone else aged 18 or over or;
- someone who looks after a disabled child (sometimes called ‘parent carers’)
is known as an 'adult carer’. A child who looks after someone else is a ‘young carer’.
The care or support you provide is in this way is unpaid. This is different from paid care workers who are also, confusingly, often referred to as 'carers'.
As a carer, you can access additional support by
- requesting a Carers Assessment - you are entitled to this under the Care Act 2014
- registering as a carer with your doctor to access resources for your health and wellbeing
Getting started as a carer
More information about what support is available for carers, if you are eligible for benefits, and the Rally Round service
How to request a carers assessment
A carer’s assessment lets you talk about your caring role, the impact it may have and what support may be available
Your rights as a carer
More information on your rights as a carer, and what you can expect in a caring role
Plan for a crisis and pathways to immediate help
Our tips to be prepared in case an emergency prevents you from carrying out your caring role, and other options available if you need urgent or immediate caring support
Respite breaks and Shared Lives
More information on how carer's can access support to take respite breaks, or join the Shared Lives programme, where a paid carer shares their home to help a person live independently
Carer's strategy
Our Carer’s strategy outlines how organisations in North Somerset will support carers of all ages from 2024-29
Young carers
More information about the support offered to young carers (under the age of 18) from Alliance Homes
Support for unpaid carers in employment or volunteering
More information on the Opportunity North Somerset service, which provides job support to unpaid carers looking to enter the workforce