A to Z of services

Adult Carers

Social Services provide support and advice to around 125,000 carers in Lancashire. Carers look after family, partners or friends in need of support because they are ill, frail or have a disability. The care they provide is unpaid.

All carers have the right to receive a carers assessment, which is carried out by Social Services and assesses how you can be provided with the support you need. If you are a carer in need of support request a carers assessment from your social services office (contact details below)

• Visit Lancashire County Council's carer's website for further information (external link)
• DirectGov's information page for carers (external link)
• Visit Carers' Direct (external link), the NHS website that provides carers with the information they need.
• Making Space (external link) provide support for carers looking after family, partners or friends with a mental health conditions.
• The Princess Royal Trust for Carers (external link) provides general support and advice and a way to share experiences with other carers online and in person.

Young Carers

A young carer is a person under 18 years of age, who is significantly affected by caring for a person with a long-term illness or disability - including mental health issues and substance misuse.

• If you are a young carer, you can get information and support from the Lancashire Young Carers (external link) website. This site has been set up to help and support young carers across the county.

Respite Care

Short breaks or "respite" services are opportunities for carers to have time off from their responsibilities. This may be provided in a number of different ways:

• For the looked after person - a residential stay; additional care at home; extra recreational opportunities
• For the carer - when it is not possible to provide a breaks service for the cared-for person there may be direct services available for the carer.
• Joint breaks - sometimes a breaks service might enable couples or families to have a break together.

Contact your nearest Social Services office (details below) for further information.