I look after someone
You are a carer if you regularly provide unpaid care to one or more people who are too ill, disabled or frail to manage day-to-day tasks alone. We know it’s important to support loved ones or others in your community, and how strong bonds may be formed during this care.
Communities where people support each other create a stronger society, so it’s important that as a carer you look after yourself too. Care and support may be rewarding, but it can also be physically, mentally and emotionally demanding. At times it can also be socially isolating.
Support is available to help you maintain your health and wellbeing as well as continue your caring role if you are willing and able to do so.
Tower Hamlets Connect - caring for someone
Support for young carers
If you are under the age of 18 and caring for an adult, there is specialist support available. Young carer support varies but usually involves a combination of:
- personal care - dressing and/or bathing
- practical care - cooking, cleaning and shopping
- emotional care - talking about concerns.
Find out more about young carer support and resources for carers
Carers assessment
Under the Care Act you have the right to an assessment if the person you care for lives in Tower Hamlets. It looks at the care you provide, how you manage the role, as well as the physical, mental and emotional impact it has on you. It also assesses your health and wellbeing goals along with your future caring responsibilities.
The Carers Centre or adult social care can help you to complete your assessment. It can be done at the same time as the assessment of the person you care for or separately. Friends, family or an independent advocate (free service) are welcome to offer extra support.
Contact details
The Carers Centre
Email: enquiries@ccth.org.uk
Tel: 020 7790 1765 (weekdays, 9.30am - 5pm).
Tower Hamlets Connect
Email: enquiry@towerhamletsconnect.org
Tel: 0300 303 6070 (weekdays, 9am - 5 pm).
Community learning disability service
Email: Elft.THCLDS@nhs.net
Tel: 020 7771 5500 (weekdays, 9.30am to 5pm)
If national eligibility criteria is met, we will help you to co-produce your own carer support plan. You may be entitled to a one-off direct carer payment as support for your wellbeing.
Check the guide to getting help and support in England.
Carer support plans
When it’s confirmed you need to receive support from us, a social care practitioner will work with you to create a carer support plan, outlining your needs and how they will be met.
Any support or service provided to you is free of charge.
Your plan will say what services are provided to you and their cost to the council. This cost is known as your carer personal budget (money from the council to cover your needs as a carer). There are options for you to tailor your personal budget to your needs.