How we support Carers

As soon as you identify yourself as a carer it is important to register with your GP so that they can provide you with support, advice and information in your role as a carer. 

Caring can take its toll on your health, so it’s helpful for your GP to know about any extra pressures you are facing that might have an impact on your physical health or emotional well-being.   

Download this letter template to help register your role at your GP (Word document)

It is also important to register with your local supporting organisation as soon as you identify as an unpaid carer. This will ensure you find out what support services are available to you. You may not require support initially however caring responsibilities change over time so it is good to know what is available.  

There are also a number of national supporting organisations that cover a range of specialist caring responsibilities.

Further details for carer supporting organisations. 

Provided by the local authority that the cared for person resides in, a Carer’s Needs Assessment is an opportunity to discuss the support or services a carer needs with a Social Care Practitioner. The assessment looks at how caring affects the carer's life, for example, physical, mental, and emotional needs, and whether they are able or willing to carry on caring. 

If you have caring responsibilities, you have the right to ask for a Carer’s Needs Assessment which looks at the impact your caring responsibilities have on your life and what social care support you might be eligible for. 

If you are eligible, your needs could be met by a range of options, including paid services and services provided by the voluntary sector. If you are not eligible, we will give you information and advice on where you can get the help you want.

The assessment takes into account a range of factors such as:
•    Whether you get any time for yourself
•    How your other relationships are affected
•    If you have given up work/education/training or are considering doing so

A plan will then be developed with you, which includes details of the services available and information on local support groups for carers.

To find out more, please speak to the staff member caring for your loved one, discuss with your local supporting organisation or refer to the relevant local authority website. 

For more information about a Carer’s Needs Assessment please see the Surrey County Council website.

The Carer's Prescription is a form of social prescribing for carers. It is a multi-agency, online, secure, referral mechanism which allows professionals to refer carers (including young carers and young adult carers) to a range of carer support services available in Surrey.

Referrals are passed to Action for Carers Surrey, which provides information, advice and support for unpaid carers of all ages. Services include a helpline, benefits advice, advocacy, back care, workshops, information and relaxation events (virtually and face to face), support groups, free resources and more. It also runs regular Hubs throughout Surrey, for carers to drop into for support and information.

To find out more about a Carer's Prescription, please speak to the staff member caring for your loved one, speak to your GP or see information on Action For Carers website.

We are signed up to John's Campaign, which helps people providing care to someone with dementia, if the person is admitted to hospital.  

The campaign was started after John, who had dementia but was living a good life at home with support from his wife, sadly died after being admitted to hospital with leg ulcers. During his stay family visits were restricted and his decline was catastrophic.  

Involving carers leads to better quality care because they are expert in the needs of that individual. If they are accepted as part of the care team they can provide insight and facilitate communication, leading to better outcomes. 

Our older adult units have signed up to the campaign and allow carers to stay overnight and to have flexible visiting hours. Carers are also actively involved in their loved one's discharge.  

To find out more speak to the nurse in charge on the ward or visit the John’s Campaign website

The online family-focused mental health service that makes space for everyone. 

They have a team of qualified mental health professionals who cover a range of clinical disciplines with experience in working across the range of mental health difficulty in all age groups. For more information please visit the Space 2B You website

Developed by the Carers Trust, the Triangle of Care refers to the relationship between people who use services, staff and carers. It promotes safety, supports recovery and sustains wellbeing. 

The six standards are: 

• Carers are identified at first contact 

• Staff are carer aware 

• Confidentiality and information sharing policies in relation to carers are in place 

• There are defined roles dedicated to supporting carers 

• Information about services and care pathways is available to carers 

• A range of carer support services are provided 

As a member of the Triangle of Care we are required to complete a self-assessment for each service to monitor how well we meet the six standards. We also provide the Carers Trust with an overall report to ensure we continue to retain our accreditation.  

We are proud to hold the Carers Trust Stage 2 Triangle of Care accreditation.  

For further information on the Triangle of Care please see the Carers Trust website

Our Carers Charter sets out our promise to be a carer-friendly Trust by supporting, involving, and valuing Carers. 

We monitor our compliance with the Charter by training our staff to be carer-aware, seeking the views of carers, and consistently implementing the Triangle of Care standard.

The Triangle of Care is an accreditation scheme run by The Carers Trust.

It outlines six key standards that when in place demonstrate that carers of people who use the service are more involved and better supported.

The Trust currently hold Two Star accreditation, which is the highest level achievable as a Mental Health Trust.

For more information on the Triangle of Care please visit the Carers Trust website.

Our Carers Lead is responsible for delivering a trust-wide programme of work, in partnership with supporting external organisations to enable our staff to: 

• work with those caring for people with mental health problems 

• help them raise their concerns and make sure they are supported  

• encourage carers to get involved and have their say about the services we offer  

The Carers Lead also oversees the continual implementation of the Triangle of Care standards across the Trust.