Information for carers

Families, friends and carers provide vital support to people with mental health problems and/or an addiction to drugs or alcohol. We know this role can sometimes be difficult and we are here to support you.

To find out more, download our Families and carers handbook (pdf)

We also have two new guides which were co-produced with carers:

• Emergency Planning Booklet (pdf)
• Planning for the Future (pdf)

Staying in touch

As a carer, you should be given the contact details of the team providing care to your family member or friend, and the name of the person responsible for their care.

If you don't know who to talk to, check our services directory or contact our Patient advice and liaison service (PALS).

Sharing information

We share as much information as we can about the person you care for. We also welcome any information you can share with us.

The way we share information between service users, carers and staff is based on:

• Service user wishes 
• Privacy and confidentiality of both carers and service users
• Best interest of service users

If you and the person you care for have different views on what you need to know we will work through this with you. We have a duty of care to both you and the person you care for.

To find out more, read Confidentiality and sharing information with carers [pdf]

Our Carers Charter

If you provide care or support to a friend or family member, our Carers Charter means: 

• Your essential role and expertise is recognised, respected and encouraged  
• You are given the information and advice that you need to help you provide care  
• Where possible, you are involved in the planning and agreement of the care plan for the person you support  
• Your needs are recognised and responded to through a Carers Engagement and Support Plan 
• You receive appropriate help and support when you need it  
• You are actively involved in the planning, development and evaluation of services  
• You know what you are entitled to expect from services 

For more information read our Carers Charter leaflet, or see our Carers Charter poster [pdf].

Family and Carers Strategy

We know the most important thing that we can offer carers is good quality care to the people they care for, but it is also essential that we listen and work alongside carers. Our  Family and Carers Strategy 2021 to 2024[pdf]  sets out our priorities for the next three years and is a renewed statement of our previous commitment to families and carers.

Triangle of Care

Triangle of Care is a partnership between service user, staff member and carer that promotes safety, and supports and sustains wellbeing for all. For this year we have signed up to complete Triangle of Care assessments of inpatient and crisis services to provide evidence of family and carer involvement. Our focus in the second year will be assessing community teams.

Read the Triangle of Care guide on the Carers Trust website.

Visit Carers Trust website