Social Care Workforce Development: Carers and young carers training and resources
New fund launched to support unpaid carers Wales during the cost-of-living crisis
Unpaid carers in Wales will benefit from a support scheme helping them to buy basic essential items during the cost-of-living crisis.
Carers, who provide care for an adult or disabled child, will be able to apply for grants of up to £300 to pay for food, household items and electronic items.
Support services, such as counselling, financial advice, well-being, and peer support will also be available.
It comes as part of a £4.5m Welsh Government investment in the Carers Support Fund over the next three financial years, made up of £1.5m each year.
Unpaid Carers Support Payment
A Carer is someone who provides or intends to provide care for an adult or disabled child.
There are over six million Carers in the UK who all make a vital contribution. We have resources that provide information and advice for those supporting Carers and for Carers who are looking after someone.
You can find a wide range of information if you a carer on our website.
Carers and young carers training
There is various training available for Carers to help you in your caring role, such as practical skills training sessions and personal development sessions.
There are also sessions available on Carer's rights and help and support if you are new to caring and not had any previous support.
We offer courses specifically for Carers and Young Carers who are living or supporting someone within Denbighshire. For further information about the training available please email us at: scwdp@denbighshire.gov.uk.
In addition, some local colleges run courses specifically for Carers. These courses are held in informal, friendly environments such as your local library and include courses such as computing and improving your digital skills, confidence building skills, well being and British Sign language.
Moving and handling training for Carers
If you are regularly having to lift the person you care for, or help them move around, eg in and out of the car, bed or in the bathroom you may find that this can put extra strain on your back.
It's essential to know about safe moving and handling so you don't hurt yourself or the person you look after. The most common injuries carers get are back injuries. Injuring your back will limit your movement and your ability to care for someone. It could take a long time for you to recover. Lifting someone incorrectly can also damage fragile skin, cause shoulder and neck injuries, increase existing breathing difficulties, or cause bruising or cuts.
If you regularly lift or move someone, it's best to get training or have someone demonstrate the correct techniques. We offer training in lifting and moving more safely to reduce the risk of harming your back. Your local Carers' organisation should be able to tell you about training opportunities too. Alternatively, an occupational therapist or your district nurse may be able to show you ways to lift and move more safely.
Backcare (external website), the charity for healthier backs, provides information about the causes, treatment and management of back pain.
Backcare also publish a ‘Carer's Guide to safer moving and handling of patients (external website)’.
Backcare,
16 Elmtree Road,
Teddington,
Middlesex,
TW11 8ST.
Mandatory Carer Awareness Training
All Denbighshire Council Staff must complete Carer Awareness training, It is delivered online and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. The course is available via E-Learning and covers:
- Who is a Carer
- What are their rights
- What support is available in Denbighshire and where to find further information
Online information and resources for Carers and young carers