Module 1

A Carer (often referred to as unpaid, informal or family carer) is someone who helps out someone else (usually a friend or relative) in their day-to-day life.

A Carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.

The Care Act 2014 identifies a Carer as 'an adult who provides or intends to provide care for another adult'. Additionally, the Children and Families Act 2014 recognises 'persons under 18 who provide or intend to provide care for another person of any age (except where that care is provided for payment, pursuant to a contract or as voluntary work)'.