1. Informal Carers

2. What is an Informal Carer? “An informal carer is someone who looks after a relative, partner, neighbour or friend who needs support for reasons relating to age, physical or learning disabilities, illness, or mental health problems.” - Medway’s Carers’ Strategy 2009-14 1

3. Statistics Almost 7 million informal carers in the UK 700,000 of these are young carers 42% men; 58% women Save the government approximately £119 billion every year Three in five people will care for someone at some point in their lives 2

4. In 2009, it was estimated that there were 21,491 informal carers living in Medway. 4785 3

5. Carer’s Assessment Carers must be providing regular and substantial support Request a carer’s assessment by contacting your Local Authority’s social services department Looks at the needs of the carer, their willingness and ability to continue caring, the impact that caring has had on their lives, and whether they could benefit from additional services 4

6. Important Legislation Carers (Recognition and Services) Act (1995) Carers and Disabled Children Act (2000) Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act (2004) 5

7. Carers Rights Individuals can request a carer’s assessment in their own right, independent of the person that they care for Local Authorities are required to take this carer’s assessment into account when commissioning community care services Local Authorities have a mandatory duty to provide services to informal carers and have a ‘duty to inform’ of their rights to an assessment 6

8. Carers Rights Carers can receive direct payments for the support that they provide The carer’s assessment must take into account their wishes to work and undertake education, training and leisure activities 7

9. Care Bill 2014 All carers are entitled to an assessment of their own needs, regardless of how much support they provide Carers have an eligibility criteria to meet, comparable to the person they care for Carers may be eligible to receive a personal budget, managed either by the Local Authority or through a direct payment 8

10. Carer Difficulties Impact on leisure time / loss of independence Little choice and control over their own lives Impact on relationships Lack of understanding from employers Financial strain / loss of income Verbal and/or physical abuse Physical and/or emotional health Accessing information and support services 9

11. Carer’s Allowance Must be aged 16 or over Must be a UK resident Must not be earning more than £100 a week Must be caring for at least 35 hours a week The person they care for must be in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance 10

12. Carer Services Information and Advice Alternative Care Arrangements Training Courses Welfare Benefits Respite Support Groups Counselling 11

13. Carer Support Team – Medway Council Up and running since April 2013 Completes carer’s assessments Offers ongoing advice and support to carers to enable them to continue to care and prevent the caring role from breaking down Liaises with other services and organisations Attends bi-monthly carer support groups 12

14. Useful Resources Medway Council – www.medway.gov.uk/healthandsocialcare/carers.aspx www.medway.gov.uk/healthandsocialcare/carers.aspx Direct Gov – www.gov.uk/carers-allowancewww.gov.uk/carers-allowance Carers UK – www.carersuk.orgwww.carersuk.org Carers Trust – www.carers.orgwww.carers.org Carers Direct – www.nhs.uk/carersdirectwww.nhs.uk/carersdirect Carers First – www.carersfirst.org.ukwww.carersfirst.org.uk 13

15. Any Questions? 14