SPECIAL EDITION
Support for carers

In our Safeguarding Adults Review in respect of Colin (2025), one of the recommendations was that we need to improve awareness across the partnership of how to identify, and access support for, unpaid carers.

In this special edition newsletter, we will take a look at how we might identify a carer; where carers can access support; and what support is available to them. This newsletter has been produced with reference to the Adults' Services Learning Bulletin, Support for Carers (2025). 

What is a carer?

According to the Care Act (2014) a carer is an adult who provides care for another adult where that adult needs help to manage daily tasks.

Not all carers will identify themselves as carers. This may be because they feel that looking after a loved one, or family member, is a natural role that they fulfil, and therefore they may not feel that they are doing anything 'extra'. But, it's important that we support people to recognise themselves as carers, to enable them to access support.

When working with families, consider whether a suspected carer:

• looks after another adult who is physically ill, mentally ill, frail, or disabled;
• supports another adult to manage daily tasks;
• provides support at a level that can provide a challenge in terms of their own life;
• feels their own physical and/or mental health and wellbeing is affected by their caring responsibilities.

How can we identify carers' needs?

Once you have identified that someone is providing support as a carer, if you have reason to feel that they may need support, either now or in the future, you should arrange for a carers assessment to take place.

A carers assessment will be able to identify:

• the needs that a carer may have;
• the impact that their caring role is having on their own wellbeing;
• what the carer wants to achieve in their own life, and how they can be supported to do this alongside their caring role;
• the practical and emotional support that the carer is providing;
• their potential need for support in the future;
• the sustainability of their caring role (whether they want, and are able, to continue).

Where can carers access support for themselves?

There are three main ways that carers can access support for themselves. In all three cases, the carers assessment will be carried out by Carers Support West Sussex.

If carers would like to speak with someone about a carers assessment, they can contact Carers Support West Sussex directly by phone: 0300 028 8888 or email: info@carerssupport.org.uk.

Alternatively, carers can self-refer for a carers assessment by completing a self-assessment form (West Sussex Connect to Support). This form will be sent directly to the Carer Assessment Team at Carers Support West Sussex.

If the adult who is being cared for has an allocated social worker, the social worker can make the referral for the carers assessment on behalf of the carer.

Who are Carers Support West Sussex?

Carers Support West Sussex are a charity operating a number of initiatives to support approximately 30,000 registered carers in our area. They run support groups, a carer helpline, provide support in accessing equipment and funding, provide wellbeing support, and work with hospitals across West Sussex. They say: "Our charity’s purpose is to be a carer-facing helpline providing information, guidance, and practical support. We serve as a gateway for carers to access emotional, specialist, peer support, and learning opportunities. Working closely with carers, communities, and partners throughout West Sussex and the South East of England, we meet carers where they are on their journey, offering appropriate questions and empowering them while fostering a sense of community among their peers. Mothers, sons, fathers, daughters, friends, partners, husbands, wives, and family members dedicate themselves to others every day, while also trying to maintain their own lives. In West Sussex alone, there are over 120,000 carers, and we are here to support each and every one of them." (Learn about what we do, 2025)

Children and young people

In some cases, you will find that a child or young person is undertaking a caring role for someone else in their family.

If you identify a young carer, you should refer them for a carers assessment (West Sussex County Council). Depending of the circumstances, including the age of the young carer, they may need:

• a young carer's assessment;
• a needs assessment under the Children Act 1989;
• a young carer's assessment completed by Adults' Services.

For further information, visit:

• Caring for other people | West Sussex County Council
• Young carers | West Sussex County Council
• Carers Support West Sussex

West Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board
Making Safeguarding Personal

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