Support for Carers

Introduction to Support for carers

If you look after, without payment, someone, who because of old age, illness, disability, mental health or substance misuse cannot manage on their own, this means you are a “carer”. It also means you are entitled to help and support.

• You may be new to caring or have been caring for a number of years
• You may or may not live with the person you care for
• You may have to travel a long distance to look after someone

Sometimes people may be known as a “young carer” or a “parent carer”.

• A young carer is under the age of 18 years and is caring for a family member with a physical or mental illness, disability, drug or alcohol addiction. The person being cared for may be a parent, sibling or other relative living in the same household
• Parent carers are carers who have parental responsibility for a disabled child under the age of 18.

What information can I find here?

These pages contain information about support for carers. Click using the arrows to the right and left or the headings at the top to move through this section and see what information is available.