A carer is someone who looks after a friend, relative or neighbour who needs help because of sickness, age or disability. Community care depends on carers, and carers are themselves entitled to help. If you are new to caring, here are some ideas about where to go to get help and advice.

Social services
You have the right to ask the social services department for an assessment for your disabled friend or relative. They may offer help such as: a place at a day centre, home help, adaptations to the home, meals or temporary respite care in a residential or nursing home. Carers providing or intending to provide a great deal of care regularly can request an assessment of their ability to care and continue caring at the same time as the disabled person is assessed. If you cannot manage any more, social services may be able to arrange a permanent residential place for the person you look after.

A Sitter
A sitter to look after your friend or relative every so often can give you a regular break. Many areas of the country have sit-in schemes such as Crossroads, sometimes run by social services, but often by voluntary organisations.

Benefits
Disabled people who need a lot of help may be able to get either Attendance Allowance if they are over 65 or Disability Living Allowance if they are younger. If you look after a disabled person you may be able to claim Invalid Care Allowance, provided you meet certain income and age qualifications. If you are on a low income, there may also be other benefits you can claim such as Income Support or Housing Benefit.

For advice visit your local Social Security office or call the Benefits Enquiry Line free on 0800 882200

The publication 'Caring for Someone?' (FB31) is available from your Social Security office.

Someone To Talk To
There are carers' groups in many parts of the country where carers can get together to discuss their concerns with others in a similar position. Some areas have carers' workers whose job is to coordinate groups and get support for people.

Concessions

Council Tax
Some carers and disabled people can get reductions in Council Tax (regardless of savings).

Income Tax
Married men with dependent children whose wives are severely disabled can get an additional personal tax allowance on top of their Married Couples Allowance. A tax allowance announced in the 1998 budget extended this to mothers with dependent children and incapacitated husbands, backdated to April 1997.

Voluntary Organisations

Carers National Association
A national voluntary organisation, the Carers National Association aims:

· to encourage carers to recognise their own needs

· to develop appropriate support for carers

· to provide information and advice for carers

· to bring the needs of carers to the attention of government and other policy makers.

Run by carers themselves, the Association employs full-time staff who work through seven area offices. There are over 110 branches throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to bring carers together. Carers National Association publishes a journal every other month and booklets on issues such as benefits, community care, housing and equipment. Carers Line helpline for both members and non-members. Tel: (0345) 573369

Crossroads (Association of Crossroads Care Attendant Schemes Ltd)
This national network is able to place trained care attendants in the homes of disabled people of any age whose carers are under strain, helping to avoid a breakdown leading to admission to hospital or residential care.

They are paid for their time and are flexible about attending outside normal working hours. These support services are managed by local schemes. For details of where the schemes operate Tel: (01788) 573653

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.
This was founded in 1991, its aims are to:

· raise awareness of carers' needs and their contribution to society

· provide information, counselling, help and support to carers

The Trust has established a network of carers centres throughout the country offering core services such as information and advice, emotional support and community consultation. These centres are often a focal point for carers' in a given locality. In towns and urban areas, such centres usually offer drop-in facilities in accessible, central locations. In rural areas, there is more emphasis on providing services by telephone or post; outreach services, such as mobile advice units or home visiting may be more appropriate. Tel: (020) 7480 7788

Family Fund Trust
The purpose of the Family Fund Trust is to ease the stress on families who care for very severely disabled children under 16, by providing grants and information related to the care of the child. Tel: (01904) 621115

The Winged Fellowship
The Winged Fellowship provides respite care breaks for carers of people with a physical disability and those with Alzheimer's. Let: (020) 7833 2594

Useful publications are:
'Respite Care resource pack', from MENCAP Tel: (020) 7454 0454

'The Carer's Guide', Essential information for people who look after others edited by Simon Crompton, Macmillan Magazines Tel: (020) 7836 6633, £9.95

'A Carer's Guide to Moving and Handling Patients', National Back Pain Association, £3.00

'A Fair Deal for Carers: your guide to getting services', Carers National Association

'Carer's Handbook -A Guide to looking after Ill, Disabled and Elderly People', The Authorised Manual of St John Ambulance, St Andrew's Ambulance Association and the British Red Cross £9.99

HMSO Copyright
Department of Health Publications, A Practical Guide for Diabled People - Where to find information, services and equipment.