Carer Support and Assessments

Are you a carer?
You may be a carer without realising it. Many people help their husband or wife, partner, another family member or friend to live at home, when they are frail or have an illness or disability. You might look after a disabled child, a parent with mental health problems or an elderly relative. If so, you are a carer, whether you are an adult, young person or a child. The word 'carer' here, does not mean a foster carer or someone who provides care as part of their job.

What do carers do?
Looking after someone can involve different tasks.

• Practical help: going shopping, doing housework, gardening or preparing meals.
• Personal care: helping them get washed and dressed or use the toilet.
• Emotional support: talking and listening to their concerns.

Carers' rights
Carers have a right to an ‘assessment’ of their own health and well being if they meet certain criteria. This is called a ‘carer's assessment’. It is just a name for a meeting between you and a social worker. The meeting gives you the chance to talk about how caring affects your life and whether you need support. Find out more about carer's assessments by clicking on link on the left hand side of this page.

Go to the ACE radio website, which is an internet based national radio programme for carers, employers and those working with carers across the UK and Europe. You can listen to interviews and comment around the key ACE initiatives and developments and much more!

North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust Carers Survey-"Valuing and Supporting Carers"

Combined Healthcare are asking carer's for their views and feedback on the services that they provide. If you would like to take part in the survey you can ask for a copy by calling freephone 0800 3899676.

By completing the survey you will be helping them to shape and develop carer focussed services.