For local authorities and commissioners
All unpaid carers are entitled to support from their local authority. Local authorities play a crucial role in helping to identify, assess, and support unpaid carers in the community helping to promote opportunity and reduce inequalities. They can link to resources and services in the local area that are designed to help carers.
Local authorities have a duty to support unpaid carers under the Care Act 2014 and Children and Families Act 2014 (England), the Social Services and Well-being Act 2016 (Wales) and the Carers Act 2016 (Scotland) as well as duties to promote equality and reduce inequalities more generally.
Local authorities are responsible for identifying and assessing the needs of unpaid carers, ensuring they have access to the right support and resources. Local authorities can play a vital role in tailoring support to best help a carer’s physical, emotional and financial wellbeing.
There are simple actions that local authorities and commissioners can take to support carers:
- Use Carers Week as a way of promoting your support offer for unpaid carers throughout your area and with your local community and voluntary sector. Ask them to sign up and take part in Carers Week.
- Use this year’s Carers Week to focus on equalities issues particularly:
- How can carers be supported to stay healthy and well? Can you encourage unpaid carers to register as a carer with their GP practice?
- How do older and younger carers get support?
- What about support for carers from different cultures and communities?
Reference
* Carers UK, 2025, State of Caring - The impact of caring on carers’ mental health and the need for support from social care services
Caring About Equality
