Are you looking after someone?
Many people are carers without knowing it.
You are an informal carer if you look after a family member, friend or neighbour who can't cope without your support because they are ill or disabled.
As a carer, you have legal rights including access to financial support, practical help and employment support. Find out more about your rights as a carer.
What carers do
Every caring role is different and can involve a variety of tasks. The support you provide as a carer may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Personal care: Support with washing, dressing and going to the toilet
- Domestic care: Support with cleaning, shopping, DIY tasks and cooking
- Physical care: Support with lifting and assisting when moving around the home and wider community
- Financial care: Support with any financial needs, like managing bills and correspondence
- Health care: Support with managing an illness or condition, like helping to administer medication and other key tasks
- Emotional care: Offering advice, emotional support or companionship to reduce loneliness, isolation or anxiety
- Communication care: Supporting or assisting with a listening or communication impairment, including translation
Types of carer
There are 4 different types of carer. The way you access and receive support as a carer will depend on what type of carer you are.
Carers
A carer is an adult who provides unpaid care and support to someone aged 18 or over.
Young carers
A young carer is a child or young person aged under 18 who regularly looks after someone who is disabled, ill or has an addiction.
Young adult carers
A young adult carer is someone aged 16-17 who is likely to continue caring when they reach the age of 18.
Support for young adult carers
Parent carers
A parent carer is an adult who provides care to a child with a special educational need or disability (SEND). They have parental responsibility for them.