Carers
A carer is someone who helps another person, usually a relative or friend, in their day to day life. This is not the same as someone who provides care professionally, or through a voluntary organisation.
Most carers would not recognise themselves under the term 'carer'. They are just people trying to cope as best they can while helping to look after an elderly relative, a partner or a young child with a disability. They may even be juggling paid work with their unpaid caring responsibilities at home.
The Care Act 2014 means for the first time, carers will be recognised in the law in the same way as those they care for.
See below for more information which may help you as a carer:
Carers Assessment and Eligibility
This factsheet details the assessment and eligibility process for carers.
Carers Emergency Respite Care Scheme (CERCS)
The Carers Emergency Respite Care Scheme (CERCS) offers a peace of mind to unpaid carers. It gives you access to up to 48 hours of home care or up to 72 hours over a weekend or bank holiday for the person you care for if any emergency stops you carrying out your caring role.
The Sitting Service gives carers the opportunity to take a break with peace of mind. The service provides fully trained staff available to care for older people, people with sensory loss, people with a learning disability, people with a physical disability and people with a mental health problem. The sitter can provide companionship support and personal are and assistance that would normally be provided by the carer.
A Direct Payment is money which Adult Social Care pays into a personal bank account for them to spend on a specific item or activity identified in their support plan.
Hartlepool Carers exists to improve the quality of lives of carers throughout Hartlepool and the surrounding villages. They do this by providing bespoke advice, information and support services, as well as also raising awareness of carers issues locally, regionally and nationally. Carers can be of any age and come from any social, ethnic or cultural background and will be treated with respect and dignity at all times.
