Advocacy for carers

A carer is someone of any age whose life is restricted because they are looking after a friend, relative, partner or person who cannot manage without help, because of illness, age or a disability of any kind.

Someone who is paid to undertake their caring role is therefore not a carer, although some carers may be in receipt of Invalid Care Allowance or in full time employment.

Carers fall broadly into 3 categories:

• Adult carers - an adult caring for another adult such as a spouse, partner, friend or relative.
• Parent carers - an adult who cares for an ill or disabled child.
• Young carers - a child or young person who is carrying out significant caring tasks and assuming a level of responsibility for another person which would usually be taken by an adult. This may be a sibling or a parent.

Carers are a valuable resource and their contribution to community care far exceeds the combined efforts of statutory and voluntary agencies. The continued health and well being of carers is vital to the success of community care.

View further carer information.