Support for carers
Support for you as a carer
The law says that a carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who cannot cope without their support. This may be due to illness, disability, addiction or a mental health problem.
Are you a carer under the age of 18? Go to our Young carers page.
The person you care for could be:
- your spouse or partner
- a family member
- a friend or neighbour
What help could I get?
Citizens Advice Mid Mercia are the contracted provider for carers support in Derby and they support adult unpaid carers, caring for someone living in Derby.
Citizens Advice Mid Mercia can offer a ‘carer's conversation’ which is designed to provide carers with a person-centred approach to support. Advisors will have a conversation with you to best understand what is happening in your caring role and how it is impacting your health and well-being.
The 'carer's conversation'
The carer's conversation is designed to connect you to resources and support that can help you to continue in your caring role independently.
You can apply online for a carer's conversation with Citizens Advice Mid Mercia:
You can also contact them by:
- telephone on 01332 228777
- email at carers@citizensadvicemidmercia.org.uk.
The carer's assessment
If Citizens Advice Mid Mercia cannot offer informal support to meet your needs, they can refer you to adult social care for an assessment with the possibility of a carer's personal budget.
You must be supporting a person who is 18+ and lives in Derby to have the assessment.
The carer assessment looks at:
- your wellbeing needs
- what you want to achieve day-to-day
- if you want to work
- your education, training or recreation needs
- how the person you care for is supported in an emergency.
If Citizens Advice Mid Mercia refer you to adult social care for a formal carer's assessment, it can take up to 3 months for a social care worker to contact you.
If you feel you need a carer's assessment without having to go through the carer's conversation with Citizens Advice Mid Mercia first, please telephone Derby Direct on 01332 640777.
Carers' directory
The My Care Directory can provide information on support available for carers in Derby as well as support from home care organisations, residential and nursing care homes and other local care services.
The directory is made up of organisations (for example businesses, service providers and third sector organisations) that offer services in Derby. (Their inclusion in the My Care Directory does not constitute a recommendation, advice or endorsement by the Council).
You can use the search facility to find support that is right for you or view the services by category.
Carers' rights
The Care Act 2014 recognises the importance of supporting carers, raises awareness of carers' new rights and puts them on an equal footing to the person they care for.
The Department for Health and Social Care website has a number of factsheets that provide more information on the Care Act and how this affects carers.
Advocacy
You have the right to advocacy support if you need help expressing your views and opinions. An advocate can support you to talk to health and social care professionals as well as other services such as housing and health services.
Your rights as an employee
As an employee, you’re allowed time off to deal with an emergency involving someone who depends on you. However, your company doesn’t have to pay you for this time. More information is available on GOV.UK - Carer's Allowance.
Safeguarding adults
Under the Care Act 2014, the safeguarding adults procedures apply to anyone aged 18 or over who:
- is in need of care and support
- is at risk of, or is experiencing abuse or neglect
- is unable to keep themselves safe because of their care and support needs.
If you are the victim of abuse or you think you know someone who is being or has been abused, it is really important to get help and advice. Visit our Safeguarding adults' pages to find out more.
Caring for someone
Aids and equipment
Medequip provides the community equipment service for Derby City Council and NHS Derby & Derbyshire CCG. A range of products are available from Medequip to support with bathing, dressing and mobility aids, continence products and a specialist range for dementia support.
Find out more on our aids and equipment page.
Carelink
Carelink is the equipment you can carry and have installed at home to make life a little bit easier.
It keeps you in closer contact with loved ones or neighbours and helps you spot problems before they get worse. Carelink provides equipment which can detect things like gas leaks, falls and also if you’re not active around the home.
Find out more on our Carelink page.
Shared Lives
A carer for Shared Lives opens their home, family life and community life to an adult who has support needs. For example, this could be someone with learning disabilities, dementia or mental ill health.
Shared Lives carers and adults with support needs are given the chance to meet each other before the carer starts supporting them. The Shared Lives scheme is flexible and can be tailored to meet individual needs.
Find out more on our Shared Lives page.
Home adaptations
An adaptation is some work that requires fixing or an alteration to your home. Minor adaptations can include grab-rails or small ramps. Major adaptations can include bathroom alterations or stair lifts.
How do I get an adaptation?
You can contact us and depending on your circumstances, an occupational therapist will get in touch to arrange an assessment to see what could make your day-to-day living easier.
If you are assessed as needing an adaptation to support you in daily living tasks then the occupational therapists will discuss with you how this can be arranged.
Find out more in our adapting homes pages.
Changing Places: toilets for disabled people
There are four Changing Places toilets across Derby that provide more space than standard accessible toilets. Find out where these are located on our Changing Places page.
Support for the person you care for
In our Living Independently section we have a variety of information and advice which you may find useful:
Looking after yourself
Everyone has a right to feel good about their life. It’s not just our physical health which affects how we feel, but our emotional health and our mood too. You can find out a number of support options on our health and wellbeing page.
Universal Services for Carers
Citizens Advice Mid Mercia offer a range of support for carers to help with health and wellbeing, such as peer support and specific wellbeing activities. You can find out more about the services offered on the Citizens Advice Mid Mercia website.
Respite care for adults
When you look after family members or friends, it can be difficult to find the time to take a break. Sometimes, you need a longer break to recharge your batteries or deal with things happening in your own life. A short break, sometimes known as ‘respite’ can help. You can find out more about respite and how we can help on our respite care for adults page.
Healthy Housing Hub
The Healthy Housing Hub works to improve the lives of vulnerable people by reducing the risk of poor health and accidents within the home.
We know people can enjoy a better home environment and improved health and well-being when they are comfortable, confident, secure and safe at home.
Find out more on our Healthy Housing Hub page.