Supporting someone who cares for someone else?
Liverpool Carers Centre helps unpaid adult carers understand their options, access support and look after their own wellbeing. You do not need to work out exactly what support someone needs before getting in touch.
You identify the carer. We help with what comes next.
A caring role is not always obvious. Someone may describe themselves as a partner, parent, son, daughter, friend or neighbour rather than as a carer.
How to recognise a carerThey may never use the word ‘carer’.
An unpaid carer is someone who regularly helps or supports a family member, partner, friend or neighbour who could not manage as well without them.
Think about what the person is actually doing, not whether they have formally identified themselves as a carer.
Help your organisation recognise carers earlier
Carers can come into contact with health services, schools, housing teams, employers and community organisations for years without anyone recognising the caring role behind what is happening.
A small change in the question you ask can make a big difference.
For many people, this is easier to answer than “Are you a carer?” because they may simply see themselves as a partner, parent, son, daughter, friend or neighbour.
Could they be an unpaid carer?
You do not need to run through these like a checklist. They are prompts that can help caring become visible in an ordinary conversation.
- Do you regularly help someone because of an illness, disability, mental health problem, addiction or because they need more support as they get older?
- Do you organise appointments, medication, shopping, meals, paperwork or finances for them?
- Do you regularly check that they are safe, reassure them or need to be available if something happens?
- Would the person you support struggle to manage day to day without your help?
- Is supporting them affecting your own health, sleep, work, education, finances, relationships or time for yourself?
Could they be a carer?
A simple one-page prompt for frontline staff to help recognise caring roles in everyday conversations.
Ask us for the staff guide →Carer identification materials
Display clear messages where people already are — in waiting rooms, staff areas, community spaces or online.
Ask about materials →Carer awareness
Help colleagues understand who unpaid carers are, what to notice and how to connect somebody with support.
Talk to us about awareness →Carer Champions
Interested in strengthening how your organisation identifies and supports carers? Talk to us about what could work in your setting.
Start a conversation →Recognise. Ask. Record. Refer.
Build carer identification into normal conversations and processes. Once a caring role is recognised, make sure the person knows there is support for them too and, with their agreement, connect them with the right route.
A clearer route into support
The aim is to make it easier for carers to reach the right support without having to understand the system first or repeat their story unnecessarily.
You identify a carer
Recognise that someone is providing regular unpaid support.
Make one referral
Send their details through the agreed referral route.
We make contact
The carer is contacted so we can understand what is happening for them.
We understand the need
We help work out the most useful next step rather than expecting the carer to know which service to ask for.
Right support
They can be connected with relevant carers support, self-service information or other specialist services.
Support for the person behind the caring role
The right support will depend on the individual. Liverpool Carers Centre can help carers understand what is available and where to go next.
Information & advice
Practical information and guidance about caring and the support available.
Resources & FAQs →Money & benefits
Help carers check what financial support may be available and where to apply.
Money & benefits →Carer's Assessment
A chance to look at how caring affects the carer and what support could help.
Carer's Assessment →Health & wellbeing
Groups, activities and opportunities to connect with other carers and focus on their own wellbeing.
Groups & events →Breaks from caring
Information about taking a break, Mytime and options that may help carers get some time for themselves.
Breaks from caring →Planning for an emergency
A practical tool to help carers record what someone would need to know if they suddenly could not provide care.
Emergency planning →Rights at work and beyond
Clear information about carers' rights, employment and being involved in decisions about care.
Your rights →Specialist & local support
Signposting to organisations and services where a carer needs more specialist help.
Find other support →Not sure?
You do not need to choose a service on the carer's behalf. Speak to us and we can help work out the right route.
Speak to the team →Is a Carer's Assessment the right route?
Liverpool City Council says an adult who looks after someone with support needs can be referred for a Carer's Assessment. The assessment looks at the support they need in their caring role and how caring affects their wellbeing and quality of life.
For the online assessment, the carer must be aged 18 or over and care for someone who is a Liverpool resident.
Use the appropriate urgent route.
This page is for carers support and is not an emergency or safeguarding referral route.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Professionals with an adult safeguarding concern should use Liverpool City Council's safeguarding process.
Help identify carers earlier
GP practices are often one of the places where an unpaid caring role becomes visible. Local Solutions' GP Link Work can help practices identify people who may need additional support and connect them with Local Solutions services.
Use the recognition prompts above with reception teams, clinicians, social prescribers and other patient-facing staff. If you want to strengthen the way your practice recognises and connects carers with support, speak to the team.
Before you refer
Not sure whether to refer?
Get in touch with Liverpool Carers Centre. We can help you think through the most appropriate route and explain what support is available for the carer.
Liverpool Carers Centre
212H Boaler Street
Liverpool
L6 6AEGet directions →
