Information for Carers

Support for Unpaid Carers

Unpaid Carers are critical. Support is available in each local authority area in line with the Care Act 2014. We have listed below some areas which we hope they will help.

Carers and safeguarding is a section within the Care and Support statutory guidance and the Local Government Association (LGA) have produced some information which can be found in the following link:

https://www.local.gov.uk/parliament/briefings-and-responses/carers-and-safeguarding-briefing-people-who-work-carers#carers-and-safeguarding

Within the statutory guidance the following is identified regarding carers and adult safeguarding https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-act-statutory-guidance/care-and-support-statutory-guidance:

Carers and safeguarding

14.45 Circumstances in which a carer (for example, a family member or friend) could be involved in a situation that may require a safeguarding response include:

• a carer may witness or speak up about abuse or neglect
• a carer may experience intentional or unintentional harm from the adult they are trying to support or from professionals and organisations they are in contact with
• a carer may unintentionally or intentionally harm or neglect the adult they support on their own or with others

14.46 Assessment of both the carer and the adult they care for must include consideration of the wellbeing of both people. Section 1 of the Care Act includes protection from abuse and neglect as part of the definition of wellbeing. As such, a needs or carer’s assessment is an important opportunity to explore the individuals’ circumstances and consider whether it would be possible to provide information, or support that prevents abuse or neglect from occurring, for example, by providing training to the carer about the condition that the adult they care for has or to support them to care more safely. Where that is necessary the local authority should make arrangements for providing it.

14.47 If a carer speaks up about abuse or neglect, it is essential that they are listened to and that where appropriate a safeguarding enquiry is undertaken and other agencies are involved as appropriate.

14.48 If a carer experiences intentional or unintentional harm from the adult they are supporting, or if a carer unintentionally or intentionally harms or neglects the adult they support, consideration should be given to:

• whether, as part of the assessment and support planning process for the carer and, or, the adult they care for, support can be provided that removes or mitigates the risk of abuse. For example, the provision of training or information or other support that minimises the stress experienced by the carer. In some circumstances the carer may need to have independent representation or advocacy; in others, a carer may benefit from having such support if they are under great stress or similar
• whether other agencies should be involved; in some circumstances where a criminal offence is suspected this will include alerting the police, or in others the primary healthcare services may need to be involved in monitoring

14.49 Other key considerations in relation to carers should include:

• involving carers in safeguarding enquiries relating to the adult they care for, as appropriate
• whether or not joint assessment is appropriate in each individual circumstance
• the risk factors that may increase the likelihood of abuse or neglect occurring
• whether a change in circumstance changes the risk of abuse or neglect occurring

14.50 A change in circumstance should also trigger the review of the care and support plan and, or, support plan. Further information about these considerations can be found in an ADASS paper on carers and safeguarding.

You will find on the website a link to safeguarding adult reviews. We involve families and carers in reviews so that we can understand what learning is important to you (Safeguarding Adult Review leaflet for families coming).

Below you can find the link to Harrow’s Carers Strategy for 2023-2026:

https://www.harrow.gov.uk/downloads/file/31601/Harrow_Carers_Strategy_2023_2026.pdf