Leaflet: Do you look after someone?

Print page

Summary

April 2026 

This leaflet explains what support is available if you are a carer.

Getting this leaflet in other formats

Back to top

Who is a carer?

You are a carer if you look after, help or support someone who could not manage without your help. You may be caring for a partner, family member, friend or neighbour. You could be a young carer looking after an adult family member.

You don’t have to live with the person to be their carer. The help can be physical, emotional or practical.

The person you support may have:

  • a physical or learning disability
  • a long-term health condition
  • a mental health condition
  • issues with drug or alcohol use

If you do this, and are not paid for it, then this leaflet is for you.

Back to top

Getting support for yourself

Carer's assessment

A carer’s assessment is an opportunity to talk to us about how caring affects your life. We will ask you about your health and wellbeing and what support could benefit you in your caring role.

You can complete an online carer's assessment or contact us.

Back to top

Care for the Carers

Care for the Carers is a charity which supports unpaid carers.

It provides our Carers’ Centre. It can act as the first point of contact for all carer’s services in East Sussex.

Their staff and volunteers offer free practical advice and emotional support. You can talk to them by phone, online or in person.

They can:

  • put you in touch with other carers
  • help you navigate a range of local services
  • support you with your carer’s assessment

They also run support groups, training and events across the county.

The charity raises awareness of caring and works to improve local services for carers.

Website: Contact Care for the Carers

Back to top

Who can get support as a carer?

We use government criteria to check if you are eligible for support. The key questions are:

  • whether you have needs that result from providing necessary care
  • how your caring role affects you
  • if there’s a significant impact on your wellbeing

To read the full criteria, see our factsheet Who qualifies for our support.

Back to top

Young carers

If you’re under 18 and care for a family member, you are a young carer.

Young carers often do extra jobs at home, like cooking, cleaning

and helping someone get washed and dressed. This can sometimes get in the way of schoolwork or spending time with friends.

East Sussex Young Carers supports carers aged 5 to 17. They offer information, advice, and arrange for young carers to meet each other, chat and have fun!

Contact East Sussex Young Carers

Care for the Carers also run activities and groups for young carers. Visit Young carers service | Care for the Carers

Back to top

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

Parents and carers of children (up to 18 years) with a disability can apply for an assessment. To do this:

  • contact the Customer Relations Team in Children’s Services on 0345 60 80 192
  • apply using the online carer's assessment
  • speak to any service currently supporting your family
  • visit the East Sussex Local Offer website for more information

Amaze SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service) provides free, independent advice for families of children with SEND.

Contact Amaze

Back to top

Supporting you to care

If you are struggling to look after the person you care for, they could have a Care Act needs assessment. If this shows they have eligible needs, they may be entitled to care that takes some of the pressure off you.

Back to top

Keeping people safe

Everyone has the right to live without abuse and neglect.

Abuse takes many forms including physical, emotional, financial, sexual, neglect, and discriminatory abuse.

The person you care for may hurt or mistreat you. This is more likely if they have a condition that affects how they act.

Caring can be difficult. A carer may neglect or harm the person they look after. This may not be intentional.

Remember, help is available.

Back to top

How to report abuse and neglect

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. To report a crime when it is not an emergency, call 101.

To report suspected abuse or neglect, contact us on 0345 60 80 191 any time.

We will always take a report of abuse or neglect seriously and will:

  • talk to the person who is at risk to find out what they want to happen
  • arrange an advocate (someone to represent them) if they need one
  • talk to the police or other agencies, if necessary
  • agree the best way to help

To find out more, visit Protect adults at risk of abuse

Back to top

A break from caring

Respite care

Respite care allows you to take a break from caring, while the person you care for is looked after by someone else. It is a service to the person you care for and they usually have to pay.

For more information, contact us.

Healthcare appointments and training

You can get free funding for up to 12 hours of replacement care so you can attend:

  • your own healthcare appointments, such as the GP, hospital, or dentist
  • training courses that help with your caring role, like first aid or dealing with stress

Contact Care for the Carers to apply. 

Back to top

Technology to support at home

You can get alarms and devices that can help people live safely at home. We call this ‘technology enabled care’. It includes:

  • personal alarms to call for help
  • fall detectors
  • key safes that allow carers and emergency services to access someone’s home
  • reminders to take medication
  • environmental sensors (like smoke detectors)

This service provides peace of mind for carers because it will alert you if anything goes wrong. This means you can leave the house, go to work, or get some sleep.

To find out more, see: Technology enabled care

Welfare checks and reminders by phone

‘Proactive calls’ is a personal phone service that offers a schedule of calls for up to six months.

These include:

  • welfare checks
  • prompts to eat and drink
  • reminders to take medication

Contact us for more information.

Back to top

East Sussex Carer’s Card

If you live in East Sussex, you can register for a free card that gives access to savings and discounts.

You can also set up an emergency plan to arrange cover if you become ill or have an accident. This is called the ‘Carer’s Respite Emergency Support Scheme’ (CRESS).

You’ll get an East Sussex Carer’s Card to carry with you.

This card:

  • identifies you as a carer
  • has the contact details to launch your emergency plan
  • offers discounts in local businesses

You can set up your CRESS emergency plan:

Back to top

Looking after yourself

Being a carer can be exhausting, so it’s important to look after and take time for yourself.

Tell your GP

Tell your GP that you’re a carer and ask them to add it to your medical record. You may get extra support like free flu vaccinations and health checks.

You should also talk to your GP if you are feeling low or experiencing stress or anxiety.

Register for online NHS services so that you can:

  • book and cancel appointments
  • order repeat prescriptions
  • look at your medical records

Include your family and friends

Coping alone may have an impact on your health. Many carers turn to family and friends for support, and to give them a break from caring.

Get online

You’ll find lots of information and support on the web, like discussion forums. You can also download apps designed for carers from the app store. Many apps are free or cheap, but make sure you check before you download!

Back care support

Back problems are common amongst carers. If you have back pain, don’t ignore it. Contact your GP for help and advice.

We can refer you to an occupational therapy clinic for advice on protecting your back. You may be eligible for equipment or small adaptations. You can apply online for an Equipment, adaptations and mobility assessment.

Support at work

Talk to your employer about flexible working or time off for caring responsibilities. Many carers consider giving up work, but this can affect your income, quality of life and pension.

Find out more about caring for someone while working, including your rights at work, at Carers UK

Back to top

Benefits and money

Carer's Allowance

You may qualify for Carer’s Allowance if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.

To find out more, visit Carer's Allowance | GOV.UK

Benefits advice

East Sussex welfare benefits helpline

Get advice on benefits and debt:

Macmillan Welfare Benefits Service

If you live with or care for someone with cancer, Macmillan Welfare Benefits Service can help. They provide free and confidential advice on money and benefits.

Reduced bills

Some energy and water suppliers will cap your bills if there is someone in the house receiving a qualifying benefit. Contact your supplier to check eligibility.

Some carers can get a Council Tax discount. Apply for a Council Tax discount GOV.UK

Back to top

Making decisions for someone else

Sometimes carers need to make decisions on behalf of the person they support. A lasting power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to act on someone else’s behalf. The person you care for may choose you or someone else to make decisions about their:

  • health and welfare, or
  • finances

You can find more information about how to become an attorney at Make decisions on behalf of someone | GOV.UK

Back to top

National support

Carers UK

Website: Carers UK

Phone: 0808 808 7777

Carers Trust

Website: Carers Trust

Phone: 0300 772 9600

Macmillan Cancer Support

Website: Macmillan Cancer Support

Phone: 0808 808 0000

Back to top

Directories

East Sussex 1Space

Our directory of care, support and wellbeing services.

Website: East Sussex 1Space

East Sussex Community Information Service (ESCIS)

A directory of community groups and events:

Website: ESCIS

Back to top

Library services

If the person you care for can’t be left alone, you could get books delivered through the home library service. You can also use our online library to borrow books and audiobooks.

You can book computers, get support to improve your IT skills, and much more.

Website: Libraries

Phone: 0345 60 80 196

Back to top

Getting involved

Carers Voices Network

Join the Carers Voices Network to help shape services through focus groups and consultations.

Contact Care for the Carers for more information.

Back to top

Get involved in shaping our services

Want to use your experience of social care services to make a difference? Join the People Bank.

The People Bank is a group of volunteers who get involved with Adult Social Care work. We use their views and feedback to help improve and develop our services.

We’ll match you with activities that suit you. You could review a leaflet, test a survey, or help create a new strategy. For more information:

Back to top



Was this page helpful?

Click or tap the rating which best represents your experience.

Page rating 1
Poor
Page rating 2
OK
Page rating 3
Good
Page rating 4
Excellent