How do I get help for someone I am looking after?

• What help do I need?
• How do I get help for someone I am looking after?
• How do I get help to continue to care?
• Will I have to pay?

What help do I need?

Caring covers a huge range of situations, conditions and disabilities. It can be difficult to identify what assistance will benefit the person you are looking after, particularly if you have not sought help before. There is a range of help available for people looking after a relative or friend with a disability or illness, including practical help and getting a break from caring.

For more information contact your local social work office.

How do I get help for someone I am looking after?

Our social work department is responsible for assessing the needs of frail older people and people with a disability. As a frail older person, or a person with a disability, the person you are looking after will almost certainly be entitled to an assessment.

This assessment is called a community care assessment. It will establish what your needs are and those of the person you care for and suggest how those needs can be taken care of. We have a set eligibility criteria. These are rules identifying the services we will provide for different levels of need. The person you care for will be assessed using these criterion.

To arrange for an assessment of the person you are caring for, contact your local social work office and ask for a community care assessment.

How do I get help to continue to care?

If you are:

• caring for another adult, or
• are the parent of a child with special needs, or
• a young person caring for an adult, your brother or sister

you have a right to an assessment.

The law says you have a right to an assessment if you care for someone for 'a substantial amount of time on a regular basis'. This is often called a carers' self supported assessment.

You can have a carers' self supported assessment even if the person you care for refuses a community care assessment or services for themselves. Having a carer's assessment is entirely your choice.

Will I have to pay?

As an adult you may have to make a contribution towards the cost of some services, depending on the income, benefits or savings you have.

Further information can be found in our money matters section.