Support and information for adult carers

Date updated: 8/04/2024

You can call Adult Social Care on 020 7332 1224 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or 020 8356 2300 (outside normal working hours).

An adult carer helps an elderly relative or friend, an adult with physical or learning disabilities or an ill husband, wife or partner.

On this page you will find information and options that are available to support you.

Support options that may help you as a carer

Firstly, tell your GP that you are a carer

Your role will be recorded on your notes, you’ll get flexible appointments/text reminders and other help, like free vaccines.

Finding the time can be challenging but doesn't have to be impossible. The better you feel the better you can care for others.

Support from Adult Social Care

For adult carers of adults (over 18 years) the Adult Social Care team can support you with:

Carers Assessments, Support Plans and changes in your caring role
Information around Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Information on breaks from your caring role (known as short breaks or respite)
Emergency Support
Regular welfare calls

We use the Care Act 2014 to decide which carers can get support from Adult Social Care. These are national guidelines which are based on the impact that the caring role has on their wellbeing.

What happens when you contact Adult Social Care as a carer?

When you contact us for help, we will organise a Carers’ Assessment. This will consider what support needs you have.

Who can ask for a Carers' Assessment?

You can ask for a Carers' Assessment if:

you're aged 18 or over
you care for an adult who lives in the City of London
you are planning to look after an adult in the City of London

How can I ask for a Carers' Assessment?

Contact the Adult Social Care Team on:

020 7332 1224
Email Adult Social Care
or write to us Adult Social Care Team, Department of Community and Children's Services, Guildhall North Wing, PO Box 270, London EC2P 2EJ

As a carer, you offer a huge contribution to society, but you may feel undervalued. Its important that you know your rights. Carers UK's fact sheets explain your rights on their website.

You may be able to get Carer's Allowance, which is the main benefit available to carers.

If you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for somebody else and you are over the age of 16, you may be entitled for support with money. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

See here to find out more about the Carer's Allowance.

Remember, any allowance could be taxable and may affect other benefits you might get.

If you provide unpaid care for someone who has:

care needs that are expected to last for more than three months
a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010
care needs because of their old age

Then you will be entitled to one week's unpaid leave from your workplace to provide or arrange care for them.

More information about eligibility, how to take carer's leave and about irregular working patterns.

The Department of Work and Pensions have launched a support site for carers who need help with balancing work and their caring responsibilities. The pages give information on:

Caregiving Support
Money assistance
Advice
Employer support
and more

Visit the Job Help website for more information.

If you aren't eligible for Carer's Allowance, you may be able to apply for Carer's Credit. Carer’s Credit is a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in your National Insurance record. This supports your State Pension.

Find out more on the Government website.

City Advice

If you live or study in the City of London, or live on a City Corporation estate, you can access free, confidential and impartial advice on a range of issues, including debt and employment, through the City Advice service.

City Advice are qualified to advise on:

Consumer and employment rights
Welfare benefits
Debt
Housing and legal issues
Relationships
Health and wellbeing

City Connections

As a carer, it is important that you take care of your own health and wellbeing. City Connections' dedicated Carers Support Co-ordinator offers a friendly, confidential listening ear and can talk over the phone or meet you anywhere in the City or at our monthly carers groups. They can help you:

To navigate services
To access expert information and advice on your rights as a carer
To find a balance between caring and the rest of life
To meet and share experiences with other carers and hear from local professionals

Call on 0203 957 9844, email City Connections or visit the City Connections website.

City and Hackney Carers' Centre

Visit the City and Hackney Carers' Centre to find out what events and meetings are taking place in the Square Mile and in Hackney.

Carers Connections

Carers Connections is a new carers service delivered by Carers Centre, Tower Hamlets in partnership with Age UK East London on behalf of the City of London Corporation.

They offer information, advice and 121 suppport; weekly local drop-in sessions; and access to a new variety of groups and activities.

There are two weekly drop-in sessions:

Mondays at 1.30 to 5pm at the Portsoken Community Centre
Fridays at 9.30am to 1pm at the Ralph Perring Centre

Not sure where they are? Project Manager, Farzana is happy to meet you and walk over to the centres. Call on 07380 182458 or email Farzana.

Dragon Cafe in the City

The award-winning Dragon Café in the City is free and open to anyone working or living in the City and provides a space for you to release the pressure, take a break from your busy routines and engage in creative activities designed to foster positive mental and physical wellbeing.

Carers First - maximise your income

Help available for unpaid carers to maximise your income and make your money go further.

Mind

Whilst it can be very positive and rewarding, when caring for someone else, you might experience challenges and difficult feelings such as stress and worry or anxiety. Mind offer some tips to help you look after your mental health.

Mind have some really useful resources that may help you take better care of yourself. The better you feel, the more able you are to look after someone else.

Discounts for carers

As a carer, you can access 100s of exclusive discounts from Discounts for Carers.

Carers UK

Carers UK provide information and guidance to unpaid carers covering a range of subjects including:

Benefits and financial support
Your rights as a carer in the workplace
Carers' assessments and how to get support in your caring role
Services available to carers and the people you care for
How to complain effectively and challenge decisions

Visit Carers UK, call 0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm or email Carers UK.

Further support is available from these national agencies:

As a carer you may benefit from the occasional break from your caring role. A carers' break can help you do this.

Carers' breaks are likely to be in the home of the cared for person, or in some cases in a care home depending on the needs and wishes of the person you care for.
The Adult Social Care Team can talk this through with you and give you details of the options available and how this might be funded. They can also advise on how to access or plan for emergency care due to a sudden change in circumstance.

The needs of a carer will be discussed as part of a carer's assessment along with the need for any replacement or respite care.

Contact the Adult Social Care Team for information.

Support options for the person you take care of

Sadly, around one third of people who are severely injured or die in fires were in receipt of some form of care when the fire happened.

The London Fire Brigade has put together this very helpful and informative video for anyone who provides care to others. You will learn how to spot potential fire risks and what you can do to reduce them.

The Priority Services Register is a free support service that makes sure extra help is available to people in vulnerable situations.