Carers
Carers
Support in Manchester
Carers Manchester is a partnership of statutory and voluntary organisations, working together to improve services for Manchester’s unpaid Carers.
This partnership includes the following organisations.
- Manchester City Council
- Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust
- Manchester Foundation Trust
- Manchester Carers Network of Voluntary Sector organisations
More information on the range of advice and support services that are available can be found at their website:
https://www.carersmanchester.org.uk/
Carers Manchester Contact Point
The Carers Manchester Contact Point offers carers advice and support to all Manchester Carers and can be contacted on telephone number 0161 543 8000 (lines are open weekdays, 10am – 4pm; except bank holidays) or email
Carers Assessment
A Carers Assessment looks at the physical and emotional needs as an unpaid Carer. It is an opportunity to find out about what support or services a Carer may need and this can also include equipment and assistive technology. It is not a test, and a Carer will not be penalised for the care they provide.
Carers assessments are free of charge and designed to support the Carer and the cared for.
Anyone who is over 18 years old and looks after another adult who is disabled, ill or elderly is entitled to have a Carers assessment. They are carried out by Manchester City Council’s Adult Services Department, find out how to get one on the MCC website
If a Carer is under 18, or someone caring for a child under 18, the assessment will be different, please see below.
The Carers Toolkit on Help & Support Manchester should support you to find the help and advice you need – visit at hsm.manchester.gov.uk
Young Carers
Being a young carer can take many different forms. For young people, looking after a loved one could make them a young carer. Young carers are people under the age of 18 years old who help look after a loved one who has a disability, illness or is affected by drug and alcohol use.
We are all responsible for ensuring young carers in Manchester are providing a level of care that is appropriate; know what their rights are; and are not spending so much time caring for someone else that it impacts on their schoolwork, having time to relax or seeing their mates.
For more information visit Help and Support Manchester –
You can follow Manchester Young Carers on X @MCRYoungCarers and watch their Award Winning Music Video # Support Not Sympathy.
Private Fostering
Private fostering is the term used when someone who is not a parent or a ‘close relative’ is looking after a child or young person under the age of 16 (under 18 if they are disabled) for 28 days or more in their own home. It also covers children who stay at a residential school for more than two weeks of the school holidays.
It’s usually a cousin or great aunt, a friend of the family, or someone who has agreed to take care of the child by private arrangement without involving the council.
The parent is still legally responsible for their child. We have a legal duty to ensure children in this situation are safe and well.
Children’s Services
Professionals and volunteers from all sectors can play an important role in identifying and notifying Children’s Services of private fostering arrangements and by ensuring parents and carers are fully aware of their responsibilities.
By monitoring and supervising private fostering placements we can all help to safeguard children who may be at risk of abuse or neglect.
If work with someone who is caring for a child like this, contact Manchester City Council:
- phone 0161 234 5001 (24 hour service)
- email at mcsreply@manchester.gov.uk
Manchester City Council will:
- check the home and household are suitable
- offer support and advice about caring for someone else’s child
- help the carer meet the child’s emotional, educational, physical and cultural needs
- help the carer to work together with the child’s parents for the benefit of the child
For more info:
Private fostering | Caring for someone else’s child | Manchester City Council