Carers
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 misuse 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. Living alongside family members with daily care needs can have a significant impact on the academic, emotional, social and/or physical wellbeing of young carers. 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
A 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 of their own needs to see if they need any support in their caring role. As a carer, you will be assessed separately to the person you provide care for. We will still take into account their needs and the amount of care you provide, but your assessment will focus on what support we can give you in your caring role. The Council will use the assessment to make decisions about the services we provide for both you and the person you care for.
For some carers, a Carers' Assessment will result in enhanced services for the person they provide care for, or a service to help them cope in their caring role (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 our support.
You can find out about help and support by contacting Gateway to Care or by contacting Calderdale carers project .
More information is available in the Council's Carers Strategy.
