Practical and emotional support for carers

Caring for a loved one who has complex needs can take its toll on you over time. It’s so important to look after your own wellbeing, for their sake as well as your own. 

Ask us how we can support you

We support disabled people with complex needs of all ages and their carers. Get in touch with our team to find out more about Sense services.

Contact us

This page gives more information about what support is available for carers in the UK, and how to access it.

If you’re looking for more information about financial support, visit our page about benefits for carers.

On this page:

Support from social services

Your local authority might be able to give you some practical help with caring. This could include things like:

  • Equipment.
  • Information about local support groups.
  • Some extra support for the person you care for. 

To get this support, you’ll need to have a carer’s assessment. 

Find out more about carers’ assessments.

A close-up of Yvette, a white woman with blonde and purple hair.

“As a carer or parent of a disabled child, sometimes you feel guilty. I understand how that feels. But you don’t have to carry it all yourself. It’s okay to need help sometimes.”

Yvette, full-time carer to Rosey. Read Yvette’s story.

Support from your GP

Caring can be hard. It’s important your GP practice knows and can look out for your health and wellbeing, as well as offer advice and support. 

Also, you may be entitled to other health services such as a free flu jab or annual health checks. 

This is why it’s important to let your GP know that you’re caring for someone.

How to register as a carer with your GP

All GP practices should have a carers’ register. 

If you’d like to register as a carer, simply ask your GP surgery how to sign up. Usually, they will give you a form to fill out. 

Once you’ve done this, they should add a note to their system that you are a carer.

Respite care

Respite care is a way of describing services that give you a break from caring. 

Find out more about respite care and how to access it.

Sense services

Sense is here for disabled people with complex needs and for their families and carers, too. 

Our services give carers a break from caring, while also giving disabled people with complex needs the opportunity to build confidence, make friends and express themselves.

We also offer services for siblings, young carers, parents and families around the UK. Check out some of our services below, or speak to our information and advice service to find out more about how we could support you. 

Sense short breaks for disabled people and their families

Sense Short Breaks are get-aways and days out for disabled adults and children. 
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Go on a Sense Holiday

Have an unforgettable time on an accessible adventure and leisure holiday. We have a choice of UK locations.
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Community support

One-to-one support to help you communicate and live your daily life. 
two woman dancing in a garden

Day services

At our centres all over the UK, we offer a huge range of daytime activities for disabled people with complex needs.
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Activities for disabled people

Arts, sports and wellbeing are vital for everybody. With Sense’s accessible activities, you can build confidence, keep fit and express yourself your way.

Activities for young carers

Sense helps young people to learn new skills, make friends and talk about their lives.
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Early intervention for disabled children

Our free play service helps disabled children up to 8 years old and their families communicate, develop and connect.

Taking care of yourself when you’re a carer

Making time for hobbies and self-care

When you’re caring for someone with complex needs, it can be so hard to carve out time to still do the things that make you feel like you. 

Your own interests and hobbies can often take a back seat. It can be even harder to get a proper break, even if only for a few hours. 

It’s not selfish to take care of your own needs. It’s important that you get time to exercise, pursue hobbies or simply rest. Even if you don’t have time to go to an event or activity, it’s a good idea to take short breaks whenever you can.

Taking some of the steps outlined on this page should help you to find some time to take care of yourself. 

Building your own support network

Everybody needs help sometimes. It’s a good idea to share details of your caring responsibilities with your family and friends, so that they know what you’re doing and how best to support you. 

They might even be able to share some of your responsibilities. 

You might also find it helpful to speak to other carers and people who understand your situation.

Carers UK has an online forum, a directory of support groups and a listening service.

More support for carers

a man is kneeling next to a woman in a wheelchair on the pavement

What benefits can you claim if you’re a carer?

If you care for a disabled person, you might be entitled to help with your living costs.
Raji, an Asian woman, hugs another person whose back is to the camera.

Carers’ rights at work

This page explains carers’ rights in the workplace, including your right to time off in an emergency and protection against discrimination.
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Carers’ assessments

Carers’ assessments are your local authority’s way of finding out what support you need as a carer.
A woman and a young man in a wheelchair sharing a laugh in a garden.

Respite care (short breaks for carers)

Respite care – sometimes called “short breaks” – is a term used to describe opportunities to take a break from caring.

This content was last reviewed in November 2024. We’ll review it again in 2026.