Carers Choices

1. Carers Choices

2. Carers Choices We have a new name but we still provide the same excellent service for carers. We’ve been supporting carers in the Castle Point area for over 30 years But did you know we also offer the same service in Rochford and Rayleigh, Southend and the Maldon area?

3. Carers Choices • What is a carer? • Someone, family or friend who provides unpaid support to someone who could not manage without this help • It can happen very suddenly – one day you’re going to work as normal, then perhaps one of your parents has a fall and can’t look after themselves. Now you’re a carer! • There are 7 million carers in the UK and that figure is rising • 3 in 5 people will be carers at some point in their lives • The care provided by carers saves the UK government £119 billion per year.

4. Carers Choices So what does Carers Choices do? • We provide respite in the home for carers to take a break from their caring role. • We do this by stepping into the shoes of the carer, and doing everything they would do, if they were there. • We can take the person we are caring for out, to clubs they may enjoy or for a walk locally, or we can take them out in a car. • We can accompany people to hospital or shopping.

5. Carers Choices Carers aren’t always older people • 700,000 young people (under the age of 16) are carers • 10% of these care for more than 50 hours a week. • This often means they miss out on their education • Which ultimately means they may be unable to get a job

6. Carers Choices Working carers • 4.27 million carers are still working (or trying to!) • One in 5 working carers has had to give up work • £5.3 billion has been wiped off the economy in lost earnings by carers who have been unable to keep working.

7. Carers Choices Benefits for carers • Carers Assessments • If you are an adult carer and provide ‘regular and substantial’ care for someone such as a relative, partner, or friend you are legally entitled to a carer’s assessment from your Local Authority. • The carer’s assessment is to help you continue in your caring role whilst maintaining or improving your quality of life. The assessment will look at how you are coping with the amount of care you are providing and if your health is being affected in any way. It will look at the amount and type of support/help you may need to continue caring.

8. Carers Choices Benefits for carers • Carers Assessments • You can have a carer’s assessment whether or not the person you are caring for has had an assessment themselves. This assessment is often carried out over the telephone. You can also have a joint assessment and have your carer’s assessment at the same time as your cared for has an assessment of their needs. • If your assessment is successful you may be able to obtain direct payments so you, as the carer, can buy the services that will most benefit you. Direct payments are cash payments given to service users who have been assessed as eligible and are intended to give service users greater choice. The payment must be spent on services that meet the assessed needs. • Contact the Carers Assessment Team on 01206 266148

9. Carers Choices Any Questions?