Support for carers

Everyone needs time to rest and recharge. As a carer, you may be able to take what’s called a ‘short break’ from your caring duties. This can be for a few hours, a day, a weekend or longer.

While you take a break, the person you care for will be supported in a safe and friendly setting.

Types of short breaks include:

• Respite care: A short stay for the person you care for in a residential or nursing home
• Day services: Local centres offering activities, meals and social time
• Help at home: A personal assistant can support the person you care for at home while you rest
• Community activities: Support for the person you care for to join activities outside the home

If family or friends can’t step in, we may be able to arrange these services. Support could be free if the person you care for is eligible for Adult Social Care. Any costs will be discussed with you before anything is arranged.

To access respite care provided by the council, you must have a carer’s assessment. Learn more about getting an assessment.

Brent Carers Centre is a dedicated service, commissioned by Adult Social Care,  which offers a wide range of support services for unpaid carers. They understand the pressures carers face and are here to help.

They can support you with:

• carer's assessments
• information and advice about your rights
• help with benefits and finances
• training and emotional support
• home equipment and minor repairs
• support to stay healthy and well
• emergency planning and carers cards

If you look after someone it is important to plan ahead in case something unexpected happens and you can’t carry out your caring duties.

Brent Carers Centre can help you:

• make a contingency plan so there are alternative arrangements in place
• get support quickly if there’s an urgent need
• get a carer’s card, to which you can add the contact details of someone that can be contacted in the event of an emergency

The carer's card may also give you discounts at some local businesses.

Hospitals can support you as a carer too. Speak to the ward staff or visit the hospital’s website to find out more about:

• help with discharge planning
• information about caring roles and next steps
• emotional support during hospital stays
• Carer Passport

If you or the person you care for is being discharged from hospital, extra support may be available at home during recovery.

If the person you care for has dementia and is at risk of going missing, the Herbert Protocol can help. It’s a scheme from the Metropolitan Police that lets you share key information in advance so they can be found quickly.

Learn more about the Herbert Protocol on the Met Police website

If you care for a child or young person, the Early Help team can support you. They work with families with children aged 0–18 (or up to 25 if they have additional needs).

They can help with:

• parenting support
• family wellbeing
• access to local services
• preventing problems before they grow. 

If you're not sure where to start, the best first step is to talk to Brent Carers Centre. They will listen, understand your situation, and guide you to the right help.

Looking after someone else means you need to look after yourself too. You can register as a carer with your local GP. This means you:

• can get priority appointments
• can get free flu jabs
• will be invited for an annual health check
• can get support from your GP with home visits or longer appointments
• may be able to get a confirmation letter for benefit applications

Ask your GP surgery for the carer registration form.