Support for carers
Social Care Connect - Online Directory for Adult Social Care Services
Although caring for someone can be rewarding, it can also be emotionally and physically demanding. Recent research indicates that there are almost seven million ‘informal’ carers in the United Kingdom, of whom at least 1.5 million provide 24 hour care.
In Barnet, there are many opportunities available to carers to learn new skills to help them in their caring role or to help them cope with some of the difficulties that caring for a friend or family member can bring. There is also support to help Carers to get back in to employment, such as that offered through the Care2Work Scheme
If you provide or intend to provide ‘regular and substantial’ care, you have a right to receive an assessment of needs in your own right. The assessment may lead to community care services being provided, to help you in your caring role. To request a carers assessment, contact the appropriate social work team.
Support Organisations
Carers are offered support by local support organisations (see the Social Care Connect website for more information) who amongst other services can offer advice and links with other carers. For a quick guide to local support organisations in Barnet have a look at Carers in Barnet: - Local Support Organisation: Oct 2011
Carer’Specialist Nurse
The specialist nurse visits carers at home to provide health checks and helps with access to NHS services or other support services for the carer themselves. The service is available to any carer living in the borough of Barnet. Referrals can be made by;
- carers themselves
- voluntary organisations
- GPs (doctors)
- Adult Social Care and Health.
Edgware Community Hospital
- Tel: 020 8732 6216
- Email: amita.shah@barnet.nhs.uk
Support for Young Carers
If you are a young carer, caring for someone in your family can be very rewarding, but for many young carers it is important to have support to help them to cope with the pressures that come with this responsibility.
Barnet Young Carers and Siblings (BYCAS) provides a range of services to young carers, including:
- activities and outings
- advocacy
- advice and support
- clubs
- counselling
- newsletter
- school tuition
- support groups
These services are also available to people under 18 who have a brother or sister with special needs, health problems or who misuse drugs or alochol. There are currently around 340 people using the Barnet Young Carers and Siblings service.
The staff at BYCAS work with professionals to provide them with information, advice and training which may help them to understand the issues that affect young carers. For more information about the services available, or to make a referral for someone under 18, you can contact the Barnet Young Carers and Siblings at Barnet Carers Centre:
- Address: Barnet Carers Centre, 3rd Floor Global House, 303 Ballards Lane, North Finchley N12 8NP
- Tel: 020 8343 9698
- Fax: 020 8445 1193
- Email: bycas@barnetcarers.org
Benefits for Carers - Carer's Allowance
Carer's allowance is an income maintenance benefit for carers. For those people who do work there is an earnings limit. Currently carer's allowance cannot be paid if a carer earns more than £82 per week after deducting allowable expenses. Regulations also state that a carer must look after a disabled person for at least 35 hours per week.
You may be able to get a carer’s allowance if you regularly spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a severely disabled person. You do not need to be living with the person you care for to receive this benefit.
The disabled person must be receiving either the highest-rate or middle-rate of;
- Disability Living Allowance care component
- Attendance Allowance
- or an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Constant Attendance Allowance or
- War Pensions Constant Attendance Allowance at the normal maximum rate or above.
Not everyone who cares in this way can receive a carer’s allowance.
Carer’s Allowance Unit, Palatine House, Lancaster Road, Preston PR1 1HB;
- Tel: 0845 608 4321
- Textphone: 0845 604 5312
- Email: cau-customer-services@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
- Disability Benefits Centre - Tel: 0800 88 22 00 (free phone)
More information about benefits for carers can be found on the Department of Work and Pensions website (external link).
Break for Carers
Respite care enables carers to take a break from their caring tasks for a few hours, days or weeks. It may involve having someone else come and look after the person you are caring for, in their own home, or it may involve the person you look after going to stay in a residential home for a while.
You can arrange respite care yourself, or you can ask us to arrange it for you.
The council may agree to arrange respite care, following an assessment of the person you care for, and also of your own needs under the Carers’ Act if you wish.
Types of respite care
Respite Care is offered in a number of different ways:
- in a residential or nursing home
- in your own home – if this is more appropriate than a residential home
- in a hospital, if there are very complex medical or nursing needs. (This type of respite care would need to be arranged through your GP.)
The amount of respite care offered will vary according to need.
Will I be charged for services?
You may be required to pay for some of the services you receive. How much you pay will depend on your income and the amount of help you need. We will ask you to complete a financial assessment form. You may be entitled to benefits, and if so we will help you to claim them. We will give you advice about this when you contact us.
How do I access services?
If you think you need a service or have a general enquiry about respite care, contact the appropriate social work team.
Direct Payments for Carers
Direct Payments are cash payments made to people who, following an assessment are eligible to receive social care services from us, Barnet Council.
If you are a carer and provide substantial and regular support to a disabled person or older adult in Barnet then you may be eligible for a carers Direct Payment.
Carers Direct Payments are specifically intended to meet your needs as a carer and not the person you are caring for. You can receive up to £250 to spend on your own services or support which meet the needs identified in your carers assessment. You have more freedom, choice and control as you can decide how your needs are met, by whom,and at a time that suits you.
Direct Payments can also be used to buy respite care following an assessment.
More information
Adult Social Care and Health homepage
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Email this pageLast modified by: Neha Shah on 19/10/2011