Support and information for adult carers
Do you provide unpaid help and support to a partner, relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage without your help, due to age, physical or mental health issues, substance misuse or disability? If you answered 'yes', then you are a carer and there may be support available for you.
On this page you will find information and options that are available to support you.
Support options that may help you as a carer
Firstly, tell your GP that you are a carer
Your role will be recorded on your notes, you’ll get flexible appointments/text reminders and other help, like free vaccines.
They can also give you really useful information for yourself and the person you care for.
Read more on the Carers UK website.
Finding the time can be challenging but doesn't have to be impossible. The better you feel the better you can care for others.
Support from Adult Social Care
For adult carers of adults (over 18 years) the Adult Social Care team can support you with:
- Carers Assessments, Support Plans and changes in your caring role
- Information on breaks from your caring role (known as short breaks or respite)
- Emergency Support
We use the Care Act 2014 to decide which carers can get support from Adult Social Care. These are national guidelines which are based on the impact that the caring role has on their wellbeing.
When you contact us for help, we will organise a Carers’ Assessment. This will consider what support needs you have.
If you look after someone who moves into a care home permanently it does not necessarily mean that you stop being a Carer.
You can still have a carers assessment if you think your caring role is having an impact on your life. Your right to a carer's assessment is based on the appearance of need. This equally applies if you are caring for someone in Supported Living.
Who do I ask about a carers assessment?
As there are no Residential homes in the City of London anyone moving into a care home will be moving out of the City and into another local authority area.
Who carries out your carers assessment depends on who arranged the care home placement. If the City of London Adult Social Care Team arranged the placement, then they will be responsible for carrying out the carers assessment. This will likely be the case for most people.
If the move to the care home was arranged privately, and there are no plans for the adult to return to their previous home in the City, then it is likely that the local authority (borough) where the care home is, will be responsible. This is because, the adult would have changed their ordinary residence.
If you are unsure, then contact the City of London Adult Social Care team who can advise.
Will I get a carers payment or be eligible for funded support following my assessment?
Whether you are eligible or not will depend on your assessment. How we use the assessment to determine your eligibility will remain the same as before, but your circumstances will have changed, and this may mean you are no longer eligible for funded support.
The Care Act says that you can only have local authority funded carer support if you are providing necessary care.
Necessary care is support that the adult cannot do without and that is not provided by the care home.
Your carers assessment will help determine if the care you provide is considered necessary and will also consider your own health, whether you are unable to achieve any of the eligibility outcomes, and whether this is having a significant impact on your wellbeing.
Generally speaking, most carers of adults in care homes are not eligible for funded support, but it will depend on your own unique situation.
However, a carers assessment is not just about funded care and support. It’s also about having an opportunity to talk to a practitioner about your situation and understanding more about what other support and guidance may be available to you.
For example, in some circumstances Adult Social Care can provide early intervention and prevention support. This is done through short term and one-off interventions to prevent or delay your own need for care and support, which are identified during your assessment. This is often through the provision of equipment, adaptations, or supporting with short term goals aimed at improving wellbeing and maintaining independence.
What other support is there for me?
The City of London provides a range of universal services for all residents including carers. This includes the Imago Carers Service, City Connections, Forget me Not, and City Advice.
Under the Care Act similar services must be provided by all local authorities so, if you live in another local authority area, you will be entitled to access their local universal services.
You may be able to get Carer's Allowance, which is the main benefit available to carers.
If you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for somebody else and you are over the age of 16, you may be entitled for support with money. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
See here to find out more about the Carer's Allowance.
Remember, any allowance could be taxable and may affect other benefits you might get.
If you aren't eligible for Carer's Allowance, you may be able to apply for Carer's Credit. Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in your National Insurance record. This supports your State Pension.
As a carer you may benefit from the occasional break from your caring role. A carers' break can help you do this.
Replacement care, also commonly known as respite care, is any care arrangement designed to give rest or relief to unpaid carers. It aims to support carers to have a break from their caring responsibilities.
While this is usually discussed during your carers assessment or review, you do not have to wait until your next review, if you need a break just contact the Adult Social Care team to discuss.
How is replacement care provided?
In most situations this will be provided by additional homecare support for the cared for in their own home. However, in some situations, options such as daycare and residential care can be possible.
How is it funded?
Under the Care Act, Replacement Care is deemed to be a service for the cared for and not the carer. This means the carer will not need to pay for the service but the cared for may be charged, depending on their own financial assessment.
If you provide unpaid care for someone who has:
- care needs that are expected to last for more than three months
- a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010
- care needs because of their old age
Then you will be entitled to one week's unpaid leave from your workplace to provide or arrange care for them. Under the Carer's Leave Act 2023, you are entitled to one week of unpaid leave per year to care for someone with a long-term care need. You can now take this leave from your first day of employment.
More information about eligibility, how to take carer's leave and about irregular working patterns.
The Department of Work and Pensions have launched a support site for carers who need help with balancing work and their caring responsibilities. The pages give information on:
- Caregiving Support
- Money assistance
- Advice
- Employer support
- and more
Visit the Job Help website for more information.
As a carer, you offer a huge contribution to society, but you may feel undervalued. Its important that you know your rights. Carers UK's fact sheets explain your rights on their website.
City Advice
If you live or study in the City of London, or live on a City Corporation estate, you can access free, confidential and impartial advice on a range of issues, including debt and employment, through the City Advice service.
City Advice are qualified to advise on:
- Consumer and employment rights
- Welfare benefits
- Debt
- Housing and legal issues
- Family issues
Services for carers
City Connections provide activities, Community Support Assessments and support for your cared for when they are in and leaving hospital.
Imago support unpaid adult carers and young adult carers aged 16+ living in the City, with emotional and practical support, individual support plans, information, advice and guidance, and regular online and in-person carer support groups and activities.
The Forget Me Not Memory Cafe run weekly sessions for carers and their cared-for.
Dragon Cafe in the City
The award-winning Dragon Café in the City is free and open to anyone working or living in the City and provides a space for you to release the pressure, take a break from your busy routines and engage in creative activities designed to foster positive mental and physical wellbeing.
Mind
Whilst it can be very positive and rewarding, when caring for someone else, you might experience challenges and difficult feelings such as stress and worry or anxiety. Mind offer some tips to help you look after your mental health.
Mind have some really useful resources that may help you take better care of yourself. The better you feel, the more able you are to look after someone else.
Discounts for carers
As a carer, you can access 100s of exclusive discounts from Discounts for Carers.
Carers UK
Carers UK provide information and guidance to unpaid carers covering a range of subjects including:
- Benefits and financial support
- Your rights as a carer in the workplace
- Carers' assessments and how to get support in your caring role
- Services available to carers and the people you care for
- How to complain effectively and challenge decisions
Visit Carers UK, call 0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm or email Carers UK.
Further support is available from these national agencies: