Options - click an option to find out more
Social Services	Young Carers
Getting the right benefits	Charities and Other organisations

 

Social Services

Every person who is caring or cared for is entitled to a free assessment from Social Services. You will need to contact your local Social Services Department to find out how they can help you;

• Poole Helpdesk 01202 633633
• Bournemouth 01202 451451
• Dorset contact your local office or find out more about what is available for Carers in Dorset.

 

Are you a young person caring for someone?

If you are a young person (i.e. under 18) you are entitled to extra support. You should not need to take on the responsibilities that an adult carer might have. There is help available for you;

• Poole
• Bournemouth
• Dorset
• The Department of Health has a page on their Website specifically for young carers.

 

Getting the right benefits

Carers are entitled to a range of benefits but the most important is Carers Allowance

To be able to claim Carers Allowance you need to meet the qualifying rules.  However, you will need to check each of the rules as they are quite complicated. Download our Carers Allowance Factsheet that will explain how you can apply for Carers Allowance.

You may also be entitled to take part in the Home Responsbilities Protection Scheme that will help you protect your entitlement to State Pension if you’re not paying National Insurance contributions because you don’t work, your earnings are low because you’re caring for sick or disabled person or child. Download our Factsheet to learn more.

Pension Credit is designed to help pensioners on low incomes who may also have some savings.  It is paid is paid to over two and a half million households, but many pensioners in need are failing to claim. Download the Factsheet to learn more.

 

Other organisations that support carers

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers provides plenty of advice and support through their Carers Centres.

The Department of Health has its own website dedicated to Carers. It is full of useful advice and information about how to get help as a Carer.

CarersUK is another organisation that supports Carers and encourages them to have a say!

The East Dorset Mental Health Carers Forum is a Charitable organisation representing the interests and concerns of carers of people suffering from severe mental illness living in East Dorset.

Advocare Caring for Carers, aims to support and empower carers and former carers to make representations when required to the appropriate authorities, about the issues of special significance in caring for older people.

Advocarers united is a group of older carers & former carers who meet on a regular basis & organise social activities, to help reduce loneliness and isolation due to their caring role.

Address:	24 Hamble Road Oakdale Poole, Dorset.
Postcode:	BH15 3NL
	View Map
Telephone:	01202-749170

Dorset Adult Education Services are undertaking a 'Care to Work' project supporting carers in getting back to work. Take a look at their flyer... Read more about this exciting project for carers on their website.