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Welcome to NELFT's Carers webpage

A carer is anyone who provides unpaid emotional or practical support to someone because of illness, disability, mental health difficulties, or addiction.

Many people undertaking a caring role do not recognise themselves as carers or identify with the word. This can be because caring has developed gradually, or because they view their support as a natural part of a personal relationship rather than a distinct caring role. Despite this, it is important that people are recognised as carers, as recognition helps ensure you are involved in the support of the person you care for, receive the acknowledgement you deserve, and receive any support you may need.

We recognise that carers play a critical role in supporting the people they care for and are often key advocates on their behalf. This responsibility can bring challenges, which may include at times experiencing resistance from services or feeling misunderstood when speaking up for their loved one.

If you are caring for someone, we want you to know that you are not alone. There are nearly 6.5 million carers in the UK, and we are committed to supporting you.

This webpage has been co-produced with carers across the Trust. Its purpose is to provide a shared space where carers and staff can find clear and useful information, including how to access carer support and services across the localities we serve.

Carers Assessments

If you are aged 18 or over and provide regular unpaid care for someone, you are entitled to a carer’s assessment under the Care Act 2014. This applies regardless of how much care you provide or the type of support you give.

A carer’s assessment is an opportunity to talk about how caring affects you and the support you may need. It focuses on your wellbeing and your ability to balance caring with other aspects of your life.

Following an assessment, you may be supported to access a range of help, which can include:

  • Practical support with everyday tasks, such as housework
  • Training to support your caring role, for example moving and handling
  • Emotional and wellbeing support, including access to talking therapies or wellbeing activities
  • Breaks from caring, such as respite support for the person you care for
  • Advice and guidance about benefits and financial support

How to Access a Carers Assessment in Your Local Area

Barking & Dagenham

If you care for a child, young person or adult with a mental health or physical health difficulty, you can access a carer’s assessment from Barking and Dagenham Local Authority.

For information on how to access a carer’s assessment from Barking and Dagenham Local Authority, please click below:

Carers | London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

Havering

If you care for a child or young person with a mental health or physical health difficulty, you can access a carer’s assessment from Havering Local Authority.

If you care for an adult with a physical health difficulty, you can access a carer’s assessment from Havering Local Authority.

For information on how to access a carer’s assessment from Havering Local Authority, please click this link:

Carers assessments | Carer support | London Borough of Havering

If you care for an adult with a mental health difficulty, you can access a carer’s assessment from one of the NELFT Havering Mental Health & Wellness Teams.

For more information on how to contact your Mental Health and Wellness Team, please click this link:

Havering Mental Health and Wellness Teams | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

Redbridge

If you care for a child or young person with a mental health or physical health difficulty, you can access a carer’s assessment from Redbridge Local Authority.

If you care for an adult with a physical health difficulty, you can access a carer’s assessment from Redbridge Local Authority.

For information on how to access a carer’s assessment from Redbridge Local Authority, please click this link: Adult care

If you care for an adult with a mental health difficulty, you can access a carer’s assessment from one of the NELFT Redbridge Mental Health & Wellness Teams.

For more information on how to contact your Mental Health and Wellness Team, please click this link: Redbridge Mental Health & Wellness Teams | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

 

Waltham Forest

If you care for a child or young person with a mental health or physical health difficulty, you can access a carer’s assessment from Waltham Forest Local Authority.

If you care for an adult with a physical health difficulty, you can access a carer’s assessment from Waltham Forest Local Authority.

For information on how to access a carer’s assessment from Waltham Forest Local Authority, please click this link: Carer's assessment | London Borough of Waltham Forest

If you care for an adult with a mental health difficulty, you can access a carer’s assessment from one of the NELFT Waltham Forest Mental Health & Wellness Teams.

For more information on how to contact your Mental Health and Wellness Team, please click this link: Access and Assessment and Brief Intervention- Waltham forest | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

Essex

If you care for a child, young person or adult with a mental health or physical health difficulty, you can access a carer’s assessment from Essex Local Authority.

For information on how to access a carer’s assessment from Essex Local Authority, please click this link: Carers assessment: Request a carers assessment | Essex County Council

Carer Support Services

Your local carer support service can be incredibly helpful for accessing support as a carer. Please see list of local carers support services here:

Please see links below, where you can access information on the carer’s hub or support service, which is local to you:

Carers Support Services

Financial Support

We recognise that caring for someone can have financial implications for carers and as a result carers at times may need additional financial support. Please see links below to government guidance on Carers Allowance and Carer’s Credit, including who can access these benefits and how to apply.

Carers Allowance

Carer's Allowance: How it works - GOV.UK

Carer’s Credit

Carer's Credit: Overview - GOV.UK

Carers UK and the Carers Trust both also provide really helpful advice around financial support for carers, please see links to their webpages below:

Carer's Health and Wellbeing

Caring responsibilities can at times have a significant impact on a person’s mental health and wellbeing. Some carers may benefit from additional emotional or psychological support, particularly if they are experiencing stress, anxiety or low mood.

NHS Talking Therapies offer free, confidential psychological support for people experiencing anxiety and depression, and carers can access these services directly. To find your local Talking Therapies service, please click the link below:

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/find-nhs-talking-therapies-for-anxiety-and-depression/

More useful information on looking after your health and wellbeing can be found at. This includes a helpful animation:

Your health and wellbeing | Carers UK

Your Rights and Advocacy

It is important that carers are aware of their rights and what they may be entitled to, as this can make a significant difference to their wellbeing, financial security and ability to continue caring. Understanding their rights can help carers access practical support, make informed choices, and feel more confident when navigating health, social care and workplace systems.

Carers UK provides clear guidance on carers’ rights, including:

General advice on your rights as a carer:
https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/practical-support/what-are-your-rights-as-a-carer/

Your rights as a carer at work:
https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/work-and-career/your-rights-in-work/

Your right to a carer’s assessment:
https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/practical-support/carers-assessment/

At times, carers may also need to make decisions on someone else’s behalf or help manage their affairs. Where appropriate, this can be done through Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). Further information on managing someone else’s affairs is available here:

Independent Mental Health Advocate

If the person you care for is detained under the Mental Health Act (MHA) or is subject to a Community Treatment Order (CTO), they are entitled to support from an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA). IMHAs are independent of mental health services and can help people understand their rights, take part in decisions about their care and treatment, and have their views heard.

If you have questions about this, please speak to NELFT mental health inpatient or community staff.

Also, more information about IMHA services, including who is entitled and how to access support, is available here:
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/advocacy/imhas/

Complaints, concerns and compliments

If you have a concern or complaint about the care your loved one has received from NELFT, we would encourage you to raise this informally with the manager of the relevant team in the first instance, as many issues can be resolved quickly through open discussion. Please see how to find contact details for NELFT services in the link below:

Services provided by NELFT for people in London, Essex, Kent and Medway. | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

If the concern is serious, or if the informal approach has not resolved the issue or does not feel like the best way to proceed, you have the right to make a formal complaint. Information on how to do this, including how to contact the NELFT Complaints Team, is available at the link below:

Thanks and complaints. Tell us what you think of our services. We want to hear from you. | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

If you have had a positive experience you would like to feedback, we would be delighted to hear from you. You can provide positive feedback using the above link.

Young Carers

We recognise that being a young carer or young adult carer can be particularly challenging. Balancing caring responsibilities alongside education, work, friendships and personal wellbeing can place additional pressure on young people and may affect their emotional health and development. It is important that young carers are recognised and supported so they can access the help they need and have the same opportunities as their peers.

Further information and support specifically for young carers and young adult carers is available here:

Parent Carers

Caring for a child or young person can involve a level of responsibility that goes beyond everyday parenting, particularly where a child has mental health needs, disabilities or additional needs and, at times, may not be recognised as a caring role. In these situations, parents may be undertaking significant caring tasks without always recognising themselves, or being recognised by others, as carers. This can make it harder to access information, support and understanding for their own needs.

Support for parents caring for children and young people with mental health needs is available through YoungMinds, including their Parents Helpline:
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline/

Information and guidance for parents caring for children with additional needs is also available from Carers UK:
https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/practical-support/arranging-care-and-support-for-someone/support-when-caring-for-a-child/

NELFT Parents and Carers Network

Are you a NELFT employee and a parent or carer? If so, you may wish to join the NELFT Parents & Carers Network (PCN). This was launched in October 2020 with aim of communicating with and supporting NELFT parents and carers.

For further information and to join the network: