Support for carers
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 can 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 emailing carers@citizensadvicemidmercia.org.uk or calling 01332 228777.
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 or over 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.
For further information visit Derby City Council's support for carers page.