Salford Carers Service

A carer is defined as 'someone who provides support or who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their age, physical or mental illness or disability.

This would not usually include someone paid or employed to carry out that role, or someone who is a volunteer.

Care Act (2014).

A young carer can be defined as a child or young person under the age of 18, who provides regular and ongoing care and emotional support to a family member who is physically or mentally ill, disabled, or who misuses substances.

Young adult carers are defined as young carers transitioning from childhood into adulthood A young carer becomes vulnerable when the level of care giving and responsibility to the person in need of care becomes excessive or inappropriate for that child, risking impacting on his or her emotional or physical well being or educational achievement and life chances.

Nationally carers' issues have received increased prominence in the last 10-15 years culminating in the introduction of the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act (2004) which placed a duty on local authorities to ensure that all carers know that they are entitled to an assessment of their needs which takes into account their outside interests including work, study and leisure.

The act also promotes greater collaboration between local councils and their health partners in order to ensure an emphasis on the overall health and well-being of carers.