Social care & health
The Department of Health’s New Deal for Carers is a national strategy aiming to improve support for carers through a range of measures. We are developing a number of schemes to deliver the New Deal to local people.
Help in emergencies
An emergency respite care scheme has been set up to support carers providing more than 20 hours of support over four or more days a week. In an emergency, care can be provided in someone’s home until the situation has stabilised, through a homecare service, sitting service or direct payments.
Planning for the unforeseen – Carers’ Contingency Plans
To speed up responses in an emergency, you can tell us about the support you provide [link to Carer’s Leafelt] and what you would like to happen in an emergency. We will then be able to arrange alternative support quickly if required.
Carer’s Emergency Card
This card is carried with you at all times. In an emergency people will know that you are a carer and that someone relies on you. The card will be linked to your details so that if necessary we can arrange alternative support.
More information
For more details on these services click on the links to the left. You can also access national information on the New Deal for Carers by using the links below.