If you’re caring for someone, it’s easy to assume you have to figure everything out yourself. Many unpaid carers don’t realise that support exists — and that some of it can be accessed without a long process or formal eligibility.
This guide gives you simple steps you can take to access support in England. You don’t need to do them all today. Just pick what feels right for you.
Step 1: Start with your local carers service (even before an assessment)
In many areas, there is a local carers service or carers centre that can offer support like:
- information and signposting
- someone to talk things through with
- peer support or groups
- wellbeing support and practical advice
- help understanding your options and next steps
This kind of support can be helpful even if you’re not ready to involve social services, and even if you’re unsure what you need. It’s often the most straight forward starting point.
If you’re not sure what’s available locally, national organisations like Carers UK ave a space where you can look up your local support.
What to do today: Click here to search for your local carers service.
Step 2: Request a Carer’s Assessment (Care Act 2014)
If you care for an adult, you can ask your local authority for a Carer’s Assessment.
A Carer’s Assessment is meant to focus on:
- how caring affects your life and wellbeing
- what you’re finding difficult (physically, mentally, emotionally, practically)
- whether you are willing and able to continue caring
- what support might help make caring sustainable
Important reassurance: It’s not a test of how well you care. It’s about the impact on you.
You don’t have to wait until crisis
Councils must offer an assessment when it appears you may have needs for support — sometimes described as the “appearance of need” threshold.
What to prepare (keep it simple)
Before an assessment, jot down:
- what a typical week looks like (including the mental load)
- where you’re struggling (sleep, health, work, stress, isolation)
- what would happen if you couldn’t provide care for a week
What to do today: Check out our guide to Carers Assessments or sign up for our free Carers Assessment checklist.
Step 3: Ask what support is available without eligibility
Even if you don’t end up with funded support, councils should still provide information and advice, and many areas have preventative or community options that can reduce pressure.
Support that may be available without a full eligibility decision can include:
- signposting to local carers services and other organisations that can help with your needs
- wellbeing groups, peer support, training or advice
- community activities or voluntary sector help
- guidance on planning for emergencies
Carers UK also emphasises that assessments should explore how caring affects your wellbeing, including your physical, mental and emotional needs — which is useful even when the outcome is information and advice rather than services.
What to do today: Ask your local carers service: “What support is available locally that you can get without an assessment?”
Step 4: Get support at work (if you’re employed)
If you’re juggling caring with work, you’re not alone and support at work can make a big difference to your wellbeing and sustainability.
Practical steps include:
- asking for flexible working (for example different hours, compressed hours, remote working where possible)
- using Carer’s Leave (if it applies to you)
- speaking to HR or your manager with a clear, specific request
A simple script can help:
“I’m supporting someone at home and I need a small change to keep working reliably. Could we look at [specific adjustment] for the next [time period] and review it?”
What to do today: Write down the one change that would help most (hours, start time, working from home, predictable rota) and who you need to ask.
Step 5: Check money and practical help
Lots of carers miss out on financial or practical help because no one points them towards it.
Depending on your situation, it may be worth exploring:
- a benefits check (e.g., Carer’s Allowance rules can be complex)
- help with household costs, equipment, or travel
- charitable grants (some are condition-specific)
- free advice services (Citizens Advice and local welfare rights teams where available)
What to do today: If money is tight, put “benefits check” on your list of next steps and ask your local carers service where to go near you.
Step 6: Build a small support circle
Not all support comes from services. Sometimes the most sustainable change is sharing the load.
If you have people around you (even a small number), try:
- asking for one specific task (not “help more”)
- asking for one regular slot (e.g., “every Tuesday 4–6”)
- creating a simple rota for lifts, shopping, sitting time, or admin
Small, concrete asks are easier for people to say yes to:
- “Could you stay with them for 45 minutes while I go for a walk?”
- “Could you do the pharmacy run or food shop?”
- “Could you handle phone calls for appointments this month?”
What to do today: Pick one task you could hand over, and one person you could ask.
Where to start today
If you’re overwhelmed, pick the one that fits your situation:
- If you feel alone: contact your local carers service and ask what support exists locally.
- If caring is affecting your health or work: request a Carer’s Assessment from your council.
- If you’re running on empty: read the wellbeing guide and choose one small, regular break you can protect.
You may also find this helpful: What support can unpaid carers get?
And if you’d like occasional practical guidance by email:
This article is general information for unpaid carers in England. It isn’t legal advice.