Help from the local council if you are a carer - What help is provided?

Depending on your circumstances, needs and what is available where you live, services to help you in your role as a carer should be provided by your local council:

• Social services in England and Wales

• The social work department in Scotland

• The Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland.

This might include:

• regular breaks from caring
• equipment and adaptations to your home to make some caring tasks easier to manage
• help with the housework.

The assessment will consider what your needs are and what help you need. Once you have been assessed, if services are required, they will draw up a care support plan outlining what help you need and how this can be provided. Services may be provided by social services , voluntary organisations and/or private companies.

Before you have your assessment, it’s useful to make a list or keep a diary of everything you do when looking after the person you care for. You might also want to note how caring affects your own health and well-being, as well as how it impacts your work, studies and other activities and commitments.