Accessing support for adult carers

Improving the way we work

Find out what is being done to improve the way we work in response to feedback from the June 2025 assessment by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Read the latest CQC improvement updates

Are you a carer?

If you are aged 18 or over and provide regular, unpaid help to someone close to you, you are a carer.

Under 18? Find out how we can support you as a young carer

What a carer does

As a carer, you may help with:

washing, dressing or eating (personal care)
medication or taking them to regular appointments
cooking
shopping
housework
keeping someone company when they feel lonely or anxious (emotional support)
managing someone’s affairs.

Types of carers

Many people do not recognise themselves as carers.

Carers can be any age. They are parents, grandparents, children, partners, friends or neighbours doing what needs to be done to maintain the quality of life for someone close to them.

Your age and who you care for determines the type of carer you are:

Adult carer - This is someone aged 18 or over, who cares for a disabled, ill or elderly person who is also aged 18 or over.
Parent carer - This is someone aged 18 or over who provides care to a disabled child and has parental responsibility for them.
Non-parent carer - This is someone aged 18 or over who provides care to a disabled child but they do not have parental responsibility for them, such as a grandparent.
Young carer - A young carer is someone who is aged 17 or under with caring responsibilities. Learn about young carers.

How to access support as a carer

Our carer’s support service may be able to help you manage your caring responsibilities, and also look after your own needs.

This applies to you if you are aged 18 or over and provide unpaid care for someone who:

lives in the East Riding (they do not need to receive support from us)
is aged 18 or over
has care needs because of one or more of the following. They:
- are older or frail
- have an illness
- have a physical and/or learning disability
- have mental health issues
- have issues with drugs and/or alcohol.

Please note: an adult carer is not someone who provides care professionally, or through a voluntary organisation.

What support is available

There is a range of support services available to you, both in your local community and provided by, or on behalf of, the council.

Our carer's support service can provide information on:

your rights as a carer
financial and legal matters
carer assessments and services in the East Riding
local, regional and national support groups
health-related issues
other organisations and services that may be useful to you.

Our aim is to support you to choose the services that best suit your needs. To find out more about how we aim to connect you with support services, you might want to read our Unpaid Carers Strategy:

Unpaid Carers Strategy 2025-2030