Every year Carers First supports Carers UK’s national Carers Rights Day campaign, focusing on helping carers to know and understand their rights. We want carers to feel confident asking for what they need and to challenge decisions when their rights are not being upheld, whether that be at work or in education, accessing health or social care services, or when interacting with other professionals.
However, many people caring for someone need support to recognise they are a carer themselves. This is where professionals working in health and social care are key in identifying these ‘hidden’ carers to ensure they can get the support they need and deserve. Doctors, nurses, social and community workers, educators, employers and even friends and colleagues may identify signs of caring that need acknowledgement and support.
In health and social care, identifying carers is crucial to ensure families and carers receive adequate support. By recognising carers, you will not only be supporting their right to be identified but will be able to better understand and address their needs to prevent burnout, benefitting both the carer and the person they care for.
Recognising carers earlier on can also help carers to plan support more easily and reduce the strain on you as a professional, building a strong support network and considering long-term and emergency planning to contribute to a better, more sustainable caring journey.
Reducing Strain on Health and Social Care
Recognising and supporting carers is vital in alleviating strain on health and social care services. Acknowledging carers' roles and rights can have a significant impact on both carers themselves and the individuals they care for. Here's how:
Preventing Burnout
Identifying and supporting carers early on can help prevent burnout. Carers often neglect their own needs while caring for others, leading to physical and mental exhaustion. By recognising their role, providing resources, and offering respite care, the strain on health services due to carer burnout can be minimized.
Improving Care Quality
When carers are recognised and supported, they can better understand and address the needs of the person they are caring for. This leads to improved quality of care and can reduce the frequency of emergency situations or hospital admissions, thus reducing the burden on health services.
Efficient Resource Allocation
Recognising carers allows you as a professionals to allocate resources more efficiently. By understanding the support network available to a person in need, you can optimise your interventions and allocate resources where they are most needed.
Long Term Planning
Identifying carers early on enables you as a professional to engage in long-term planning. This includes creating sustainable care plans that consider both the current and future needs of the individual, reducing the need for sudden or emergency interventions.
Respecting Rights
Acknowledging carers' rights as individuals with their own needs fosters a culture of respect. This acknowledgment empowers carers to advocate for themselves and the individuals they care for, ensuring they receive the support they need.
Enhancing Collaboration
Recognising carers eases better communication and collaboration between carers and professionals. This collaboration leads to more comprehensive care plans that consider the holistic needs of the person.
Call to Action for Professionals
Professionals in various fields, including healthcare, education, and employment, play a crucial role in identifying and supporting carers. Training programs and awareness campaigns can aid in recognising the signs of caring responsibilities and taking necessary actions to support them.
By acknowledging carers, professionals can contribute to building a robust support network around the carers in need of support, ensuring sustained care while preventing isolation and exhaustion among carers. In essence, recognising carers' contributions and rights is essential for creating a sustainable and supportive care environment, benefiting both the carers and the overall health and social care system.
Whether you're a carer in need of support or you're a professional concerned about somebody, you can refer through our local services.
Online Help and Advice
Visit our online support section where we have provided advice and guidance on a range of relevant topics to help you in your caring role.