Adult carers
Support for carers
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.
Training and support
These carers are offered support by local support organisations who amongst other services can offer advice and links with other carers. We also provide training for carers, including the new Caring with Confidence programme, and the opportunity for respite care when they need a break from their caring role.
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.
‘Regular’ is likely to mean most days per week, most weeks, and ‘substantial’ is likely to mean an average of twenty or more hours per week spent providing care or supervision.
The assessment is carried out by a social worker, who will take into account:
- the tasks you undertake
- your ability and willingness to continue
- the effect on your own health
- the support you already receive
- any other responsibilities you may have.
To request a carers assessment, contact the appropriate social work team.
Training for carers
There is a range of training opportunities available for carers in Barnet. We have also recently launched a new training programme called Caring with Confidence to help give carers more confidence to undertake their caring duties.
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 twenty or more hours of 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. 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.
Carer’s 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) and,
- Adult Social Services.
Edgware Community Hospital
- Tel: 020 8732 6216
- Email: amita.shah@barnet-pct.nhs.uk
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: 01253 856 123
- Textphone: 01772 899 489
- Email: ca-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).
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Email this pageLast modified by: Dawn Rowe on 02/11/2009