Support for carers
We know that there are thousands of Knowsley residents, of all ages, who provide invaluable support as carers. Anyone who cares for a friend, neighbour or relative who is frail, disabled or mentally or physically ill, is a carer. You don’t need to live in the same house to be a carer.
In Knowsley, there is support available to carers to ensure they receive the help they need whilst caring for others.
If you provide care on a regular basis to a person aged 18 or over, you are entitled to a carers’ assessment. Parents of disabled children will usually receive a family assessment.
The assessment lets you discuss your situation and the help you need. This may
include:
- Caring responsibilities for a child
- Maintaining a habitable home
- Managing and maintaining nutrition
- Developing and maintaining family and other personal relationships
- Engaging in recreational activities
- Making use of necessary facilities in the local community
- Accessing and engaging in work, training, education or volunteering.
After the assessment, if you are eligible, we can discuss what support we can offer that will help you with your caring role.
You can request a Carer’s Assessment by contacting Knowsley Council’s Adult Social Care team on 0151 443 2600.
We know that many young people under 18 years old provide essential support and care in Knowsley. Often young carers take on responsibility for looking after a parent, brother or sister or other relative at home.
These additional responsibilities can bring additional stress to a young person, prevent them from spending time with friends or socialising and impact on their mental health.
In Knowsley the Young Carers Service supports young people aged 8 to 16 years old who are caring for a family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support.
This service takes a whole family approach to ensure that everyone receives the help and support they need and that young carers have the time do not need to take on inappropriate levels of care that could be detrimental to their own health and wellbeing.
You can find out more about the Service and how it could help you online.
You can also find more information and advice about being a young carer on the Government website.
You may be entitled to receive Carers’ Allowance if you are aged over 16 and spend more than 35 hours a week caring for someone who gets any of the following benefits:
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (middle or higher rate care)
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pensions Constant Attendance Allowance
However, if you are in full time education or earn over a certain amount, you won’t be able to get this allowance. The Department for Work and Pensions provide more information about whether you qualify for Carers’ Allowance and how to claim it .
Knowsley Carers’ Centre is a charity providing advice and support to carers in Knowsley, including;
- Emotional support
- Welfare benefits advice
- Access to practical and financial help
- Education and training opportunities
- Social activities
- Support to carers’ groups
- Complimentary therapies and relaxation courses
- Monthly carer forums where you can have your say
- Carers’ emergency card
Further information is available on the Knowsley Carers website.
Alternatively, you can visit or contact one of their centres directly:
Halewood centre:
New Hutte Neighbourhood Centre,
Lichfield Road,
Halewood
L26 1TT
Tel: 0151 448 9771
Opening hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 9.30am – 3.30pm.
Huyton centre:
The Old Schoolhouse,
St Johns Road,
Huyton,
L36 0UX
Tel: 0151 482 6279
Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday: 9.30am to 3.30pm
Kirkby centre:
143 Bewley Drive,
Kirkby,
L32 9PE
Tel: 0151 549 1412
Opening hours: Monday – Thursday: 9.30 – 4.30pm Friday: 9.30am to 3.30pm.
Or email [email protected] to find out more.
Knowsley Carers Centre can also arrange home visits by appointment
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