Support for unpaid carers

Find out if you are a carer, what a Carer’s Assessment is, how to get support, and how to plan for emergencies.

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Carers’ breaks and time for yourself

Staffordshire Together for Carers Service offers free befriending, peer support and carers groups. They also fund local projects through the Carers Grants Scheme to help you take a break.

Under the Care Act 2014, you have a legal right to a carer’s assessment if you spend a lot of time caring. This looks at your needs as a carer, including your need for a break. Your assessment can be with the person you care for or separate from them.

What happens next

  1. Contact us
  2. Have a carer’s assessment (Care Act 2014)
    We’ll look at your wellbeing, your need for a break, and what would help you keep working, studying, volunteering, or staying connected.
  3. Agree your support
    We’ll discuss types of breaks (little and often or occasional longer breaks), how to arrange them, and any Carers Direct Payment if you’re eligible.
  4. Arrange the break
    You might use family and friends, join activities via Staffordshire Together for Carers, or arrange support through day opportunities, home care, a personal assistant, or short stays.

Timelines: We aim to respond quickly. Timescales vary with your situation and provider availability.

Costs

  • Staffordshire Together for Carers activities and groups are free to access for carers.
  • If you’re eligible, you may be offered a Carers Direct Payment (a one‑off payment to support your wellbeing).
  • A Carers Direct Payment must not be used for general holiday costs (e.g. hotel, travel, meals) or to fund holidays with your informal carer unless a separate formal carer is also in place, so your carer still gets a break.
  • If you need respite care for the person you support (so you can take time out), see our Respite care (short break care) page for funding rules, assessments, and self‑funding details.

Contact us

  • Staffordshire Cares call 0300 111 8010 
    (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, except bank holidays)
  • Emergency Duty Team call 0345 604 2886 
    (Monday to Friday, 5pm to 9am and Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holidays, 24-hour service)