I need to talk to someone about my caring role

The council is here to support you if you are a carer. Whether you've just started looking after a loved one or have been supporting someone for a while, this checklist will help you get the support and information you need.

Caring for someone can take its toll on your productivity at work.

Informing your employer of your carer responsibilities means they may be able to help you deal with the stress and could also be more accommodating if you need to take days off at the last minute.

As a carer you have the right to request flexible working and the right to time off in a case of emergency.

At times caring can become overwhelming. If at some point balancing work and caring becomes too much, you could ask about opportunities for flexible working.

For example, it could mean working:

• 5 days in 4 (condensing the hours for a working week into 4 days)
• from home a few days a week

Here are some of the ways in which you can be supported in your caring role:

• information about local support groups for carers
• help with caring
• equipment that would make your life easier as a carer
• respite care

As a carer you can get advice, support and help from the council and other organisations. A carer’s assessment will identify the help you need. The assessment is free and confidential.

Request a carer's assessment

As a carer you may be entitled to a free flu jab or other additional health services. If you let your doctor know you are caring for someone, they will be able to help with this. 

Caring is not easy, so it is important that your GP knows so that they can look after your health the best they can, as well as offer practical advice and support.

Your hobbies and interests may take a back seat when you're caring for someone else. Although it can be hard to schedule in time out, it's particularly important that you still do the things that make you happy and things you enjoy doing.

You could ask family and friends to help you for an hour or two, or find out if there are any local day services that can break the week up for you.

You can also get support through a charity that supports people with specific conditions or an Age UK day centre.

If you worked in an office, you would not go a full year without any holiday. Caring should be the same. Even if you cannot afford it on your own, there may be support available to help you with respite care.

For more about respite breaks, see factsheet 'How do I arrange a respite break?' on our Factsheets page

Carer's Allowance is a payment of £67.60 a week to spend as you wish. If you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and earn less than £67.60 a week, you may be eligible.

Find out more about carer's allowance on GOV.UK.

If you have the permission of the person you care for, get in touch with us to ask for a care needs assessment.

We will assess how they manage everyday tasks and what they want to achieve. We will look at the person's needs and consider what care and support could be useful.

Request a social care assessment 

If the person you care for is entitled to benefits and they’re not currently claiming, you may have the opportunity to help them fill out the application forms. If this is too daunting, we may be able to help the person you care for to apply.

The person you care for may be entitled to different benefits to you. If they need help finding out what to apply for, visit our benefits page for further information.

Information about benefits

From easy, practical tips to useful adaptations and larger technology, find out what you can do to allow the person you care for to stay healthy, happy and comfortable at home.

There are changes you can make in your home to make life with a long-term condition or disability a lot easier.

Request an occupational therapy assessment

Thinking about the future and getting the affairs in order for the person you care for may be something that has crossed your mind. It's useful to think about:

• their future care preferences
• their needs
• whether they'll need a power of attorney
• if their will is currently up to date