Support for unpaid carers

If you look after someone who is ill, disabled, or elderly, you are an unpaid carer. Caring for someone can be rewarding, but it can also be hard. There is support to help you. It includes financial aid, advice, training, and breaks from caring. This page will guide you to the help you need.

Request a carer's assessment

A carer's assessment is a way for you to get support as a carer of a family member or friend. It is usually a meeting or discussion with a care worker to talk about how caring affects your life. You can talk about what challenges you face, and what help you may need.

It focuses on you, not the person you care for, It can lead to advice and support to make things easier for you. It's free and available even if the person you care for doesn’t get social care themselves.

After the assessment, you will be assigned a social worker. In some cases, you may be eligible to receive a personal budget or carer's grant. This will provide you with financial support.

To request an assessment, call us on 0208 901 2680. For more information, see the apply for adult social care page.

Harrow Carers

Harrow Carers is an independent charity and a voluntary group. The service is dedicated to helping you:

  • Feel better about your life and yourself.
  • Build your confidence.
  • Look after your emotional and physical health.

For more information, see Harrow Carers.

Become a Carer Champion

This role is for carers who wish to be a voice for other carers. To find out more, see An introduction to becoming a carer champion. Apply to become a carer champion by emailing us at Carer.Champions@harrow.gov.uk.

Apply for a Carer card

A Carer card confirms your status as a carer. It confirms that you provide support to a vulnerable person. To apply for a Carer card, see Harrow Carers Carer Card.

Apply for Careline

Careline is a personal alarm service that provides support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If a vulnerable person is in trouble, they can alert a team by pressing a button. It gives customers peace of mind to live independently at home. 

For more information, see our Careline page. Or you can email the team at careline@harrow.gov.uk.

Support and well-being information service Harrow (SWiSH)

SWiSH is for people aged 18 and older. It seeks to inform them about local support services. For more information, see SWiSH. Or you can email the team at info@mindinharrow.org.uk.

Apply for a free home fire safety visit

The London Fire Brigade offers personal fire safety advice. This includes fitting free smoke alarms where needed.