Anyone can be a carer – a carer is someone who provides care to someone who couldn’t manage without their help. This could include a friend or family member. Some examples of carers might be:
- A 15-year-old girl looking after a parent with a long-term health condition.
- A 35-year-old man looking after his teenage child who has autism.
- A 40-year-old man caring for his partner who has terminal cancer.
- An 80-year-old woman looking after her husband who has Alzheimer’s disease.
It can be difficult for carers to separate their caring role from their relationship that they have with the person they care for, particularly when that person is a parent, child or partner.
As there is no set definition of a carer, the roles and responsibilities that carers have vary a lot. Some carers may help with everyday tasks such as getting dressed or eating, while others may offer emotional support to the person they care for.
If you are an unpaid carer, you have certain rights, outlined in a number of Government Acts and policies. Under the Care Act 2014, you are entitled to a Carers Assessment, which is carried out by Sefton Council. This assessment looks at your responsibilities as a carer and what support needs to be put in place to help you in your role.
The Carers Assessment is a statutory requirement, but sometimes carers need additional support and guidance. In Sefton, there are a number of support services and community groups available for carers to discuss their role and get personalised guidance.
Additional information is available on the Sefton Carers Centre website.
Types of carers
A young carer is someone under 18 who provides care.
A young adult carer is between 18 and 25 years old and cares for other adults.
An adult carer is an adult who provides care for other adults.
A parent carer is someone who has parental responsibility for a child under the age of 18 with additional needs.
A working carer is an adult who combines working with caring responsibilities.