Community based services

Think carer, think family - make every contact count

Unpaid carers (sometimes called informal carers) play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of our county. They are key partners in maintaining the independence of people with care needs but providing care can have a major impact on carers' lives and we all have a duty to support them.

There are almost 100,000 people in Norfolk providing essential support to a family member or friend. They may not think of their role as a 'carer' or know that support is available to them.

Evidence shows that carers are more likely to experience poor quality of life, increased social isolation and ill-health than the average member of the public. It is our responsibility to 'think carer' and ensure that we support carers to maintain their caring role.

Carers matter Norfolk

Carers matter Norfolk delivers a highly personalised service that enables carers to improve their health and wellbeing and support them in their caring role.

On behalf of Norfolk County Council, carers matter Norfolk provide carers' assessments, information, support, and advice for unpaid carers in Norfolk. They offer a seven day a week, advice line service, together with one-on-one community support.

Find out more about carers matter and support for carers.

Carers charter

We have also developed a carers charter, produced by carers and councillors working together. This sets out our principles and pledges for:

• Carers in work
• Young carers in education
• Carers in the community

We want everyone to think about how they can implement the principles in the carers charter and support carers through their work.

Read the Norfolk carers charter online.

How providers can support unpaid carers

'Think carer, think family'. Providers can make every contact count by getting paid staff to:

• Check in with the carer, ask how they are and if there is anything that they need support with. Make sure staff know who to contact when they are concerned about the health and wellbeing of the carer.
• Treat the carer as an equal partner in the delivery of care. Take their views and concerns about the person they are caring for seriously.
• Make sure that staff know what support is available for carers and how support can be accessed
• Support the carer to access the support that they need if they are struggling
• Have a carer's policy for their own organisation detailing how they will support their own staff who have informal caring responsibilities 

Feedback

We want unpaid carers to be able to say:

• "I have the right information and advice to be able to make informed decisions"
• "I have access to appropriate support that suits my needs, including respite care and carers' breaks"
• "I am identified, recognised and valued for the care that I provide"
• "I am respected for the skills, experience and knowledge that I have and am treated as an equal partner in care"
• "Care and support identifies me as a carer and is tailored around my needs as well"