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Carers

Introduction

Carers spend a significant proportion of their lives providing unpaid support to family or friends. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance abuse problems.

Young carers

Young carers are children or young people up to the age of eighteen years old who are caring directly or indirectly for a family member who may be disabled, have an enduring illness, have a learning disability, have a mental health or drug or alcohol problem. The effect on young carers of living alongside family members with the aforementioned needs impacts on the academic, emotional, social and / or physical wellbeing at a level over and above the experiences of children of a similar age and stage of development.  See also Young carers .

Anyone can become a carer. Carers come from all walks of life, all cultures and can be of any age.

Carers' Assessments

When the Council is carrying out certain assessments, the carer (that is, an individual who provides or intends to provide a substantial amount of care on a regular basis) has the right to request an assessment as to his / her ability to provide, and continue to provide for the relevant person.  The Council must carry out that assessment and take into account the results of it in making its decision about services.

For some carers a Carers' Assessment will result in enhanced services for the cared for person, or a service in their own right (e.g. help with gardening or domestic duties). Carers may receive services in their own right so that they can continue to provide direct care to their relative, partner or friend.

Help and support

Help and support is available for carers and remember, you do not have to be living with the person you care for to receive help and support.

The South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has very useful information for carers available on its website. South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust|

You can find out about help and support by contacting Gateway to Care or by contacting Calderdale carers project .

During 2009 the Council produced a Carers Strategy.

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