A Guide for Family Carers

Who Are Carers?

Carers are people who look after someone with an illness, disability, or health condition. They may be:

• Adults caring for adults
• Parents caring for disabled children
• Young people supporting family members

Carers can live with or apart from the person, may or may not be related, and don’t have to receive Carer’s Allowance. They are different from paid or formal care workers.

Carer’s Allowance

Carer’s allowance is money to help you look after someone who needs to be cared for.

If you’re aged 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who is ill or has a disability, you may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance.

What Do Carers Do?

Carers provide practical and emotional support, such as:

• Personal care (dressing, bathing)
• Daily tasks (shopping, cooking, cleaning)
• Medical support (appointments, medication)
• Managing finances, benefits, and paperwork
• Offering reassurance, company, and safety monitoring

Did You Know?

Many people don’t realise they’re carers—or that support is available to help them in their role:

Understanding Your Rights and Role as a Carer

Family carers are vital partners in care. Yet, many carers don’t always recognise themselves as such, or may not know what support is available.
You are entitled to:

• A Carer’s Assessment (using the Northern Ireland Single Assessment Tool – NISAT), which should look at your own needs, not just those of the person you care for.
• Access to information, services, and emotional support.
• Involvement in planning and decision-making due to your unique understanding of the person you support.

Assessing and Meeting Needs

A proper needs assessment for both the person you care for and yourself is the foundation of support. This should include:

• Your emotional and physical wellbeing
• Your ability to continue providing care
• Your needs around employment, finances, housing, and social life

Many carers report difficulty navigating services. ARC supports simplified pathways to access help and urges for timely, clear assessments.

Being Involved in Planning and Care Decisions

As a family carer, your insight matters. ARC NI advocates for:

• Genuine partnership working between families and professionals
• Co-production in the design of services
• Inclusion in reviews, care plans, and transitions

Professionals should value and listen to carers’ knowledge of the person they support.

Transitions and Future Planning

Life transitions—such as moving from school to adult services—can be uncertain. Early and thoughtful planning is crucial. Family carers should be:

• Informed and prepared in advance
• Involved in creating realistic future care plans
• Supported in discussions about long-term options (e.g. housing, employment, health)

Balancing Employment and Caring

Carers often face challenges in holding down paid work due to lack of flexible support. This can impact wellbeing and financial stability.

ARC NI encourages:

• Flexible work arrangements
• Better access to respite
• Employer awareness of carers’ needs

 Navigating a Complex System

 Where to Start

If you’re new to caring or looking for practical tools, this family-friendly guide is a helpful place to begin:

📘 Resource: [A Guide to Help You on Your Journey – HSC/CYPSP, 2023]

Health and social care can be difficult to navigate. ARC NI supports efforts to make systems more coordinated, transparent, and user-friendly.

📘 Resource: [Caring in a Complex World – The King’s Fund, 2023]