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Help for Carers

Who is a Carer?

Carers are people who look after family members or friends who need care, help or support. Carers can be adults caring for other adults, parents caring for ill or disabled children, or young carers who care for another family member.

There is not a typical carer. Some carers do not see themselves as carers. Most of the care in the community is provided by unpaid carers.

Denbighshire Social Services recognises the vital role of carers. If you are a carer then this information explains how you can get help.

Help for Carers

There are different types of help that you may need. This could include:-

• information, support and advice
• help for the person you care for
• services that can help you care or maintain your well being

Information, Support and Advice for Carers

Social Services can provide information and advice on a range of matters. The addresses and telephone numbers of
Social Services offices in Denbighshire

Your GP and Health professionals will be able to answer any questions you may have on health matters.

Voluntary organisations, such as NEWCIS, can help with information, support and advice. They can also put you in touch with Carers Support Groups. These Groups provide opportunities to meet other carers, share experiences and support each other.

Advice and information is available from the Citizens Advice Bureaux, Benefits Advice Shop and the Social Services Department on financial benefits to which you may be entitled.

Advice is available from Occupational Therapists on the safest methods to position or move the person you care for in order to reduce the possible risks to both of you.

No charges are made for these services.

Help for the Person you are Caring For

You may want to discuss with Social Services whether there are any services they may be able to provide to the person that you care for. Services that Social Services may be able to provide include:

• help with practical tasks including personal care
• disability equipment or adaptations to the home 
• a break or time away from home - there is a variety of care we may be able to offer so that you or the person you care for can have a break for a day or longer

Social Services will need to assess the needs of the person you care for. You may be asked to contribute to these discussions.

As part of the assessment Social Services will consider whether the person you care for is eligible for a service.

Social Services has criteria for who will be eligible for services. Generally, these criteria are based on prioritising people according to the level of need and risk.

The leaflet 'Social Services for Adults in Denbighshire' explains in more detail who will get priority for services.

There may be a charge for some services. How much the person you care for will pay depends upon their income (including benefits) and savings.

Help for You

If you provide, or are planning to provide, regular and substantial care for someone you may want to contact Social Services to request a carer's assessment. This assessment will work out whether Social Services are able to provide, or arrange, services that will help you to care or help to maintain your well being.

If you care for an adult you can request a carer's assessment to discuss the help that you need. This can happen even if the person you care for refuses help.

If you care for a disabled child you can also request a carer's assessment. Your assessed needs will be considered as part of an assessment of needs of your child and family.

What your assessment is for?

Your carer's assessment is your opportunity to tell Social Services about the things that could make caring easier for you.

Some things that you may want to think about:

• Do you get enough sleep?
• Is your health affected in other ways?
• Are you able to get out and about?
• Do you get time for yourself?
• Are your other relationships affected?
• Do you want information about benefits?
• Are you worried you may have to give up work?
• Is the person you are caring for getting enough help?

Your assessment will be carried out in private, and information will not be shared with the person you care for without your agreement.

What sort of services might be offered?

The types of services that may be offered to you, or the person you care for, include:

• services that give you a break
• help with caring tasks during the night/day
• activities for the person you care for
• help with household tasks
• benefits advice

All carers are individuals so if there are services that you think will help, then talk them through with Social Services to see if this is something that they can help with.

In some instances there may be a charge for services. If a charge does apply this will be explained to you.

What if I wish to Comment or Complain about Social Services?

You can let us know any comments, compliments or complaints about our services. The leaflet 'Are you Happy with the Services You Receive?' tells you how to do this.

Benefits Advice Shop:

19 Bedford Street
Rhyl
Denbighshire
LL18 1SY
Tel: 01745 345145

Carers Strategy Summary (pdf, 74.96 KB)   The purpose of this document is to summarise the main points and actions of the new Denbighshire Carers Strategy.
Carers Strategy (pdf, 320.18 KB)   The purpose of the Denbighshire Carers Strategy is to improve and develop sustainable and appropriate services and support to known Carers, and to reach out and identify those Carers who are ‘hidden’ from services. It reflects a commitment by social care, health and voluntary sector partners to improve the support services offered to Carers over the next three years. The Strategy builds on the two previous Carers Strategies in Denbighshire (2001 and 2005-08), and sets out key priorities for supporting Carers over the next three years.
Denbighshire Care Directory (pdf, 1,346.01 KB)   There may be times when people will need help and assistance from Social Services: some people may need help for a short time whilst others may need help all their lives. This booklet explains about the help available from Social Services.

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