Are you caring for someone?

A carer is anyone, including a child or an adult who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid. (Source: NHS England)

Giant speech bubble sticky note being held in front of a person.

Help and advice for carers

Being a carer is hard. There is a lot of information and help here which may help you.
A man sat in front of a laptop talking to another man and a woman.

Carer’s assessment

An opportunity to find out how caring is affecting your life. how to get an assessment.

Carers assessment information.
Exit sign hanging from a ceiling.

Planning for an emergency

A carer’s emergency plan sets out who to contact and what to do in your absence.
Overhead view of a woman with her head in her hands working on her laptop.

Support with working and caring

The rights you have if you are a worker and care for someone.
Young girl washing fruit at a kitchen sink.

Young carers

Children can be carers too. Find out if you are a carer and what help there is for you.
Man standing in foreground, three people in wheelchairs and someone standing behind him.

Carers voice

Carers inform our services through meetings.
Hands from an unseen group joined in the centre of a group.

Community support services for carers

Reading Services Guide information about support that is available.
Coins falling onto a table.

Benefits for carers

Guidance on carer’s allowance, benefits, grants, discounts and offers.
Older people sat at tables in a large hall playing games.

Carer’s support plan

A break can benefit both you and the person you care for.
Printed charts with hands with pens pointing at them.

Joint all age carers’ strategy 2024 to 2027

How the council plans to work with voluntary organisations and the community to help carers.
Man smiling as he lifts a laughing boy with Down's syndrome up.

Parent carer

Information and support on Reading Services Guide for parents of children with disabilities.
Last updated on 19/02/2025