Caring for someone often means navigating health, social care, education, housing and benefits systems. At times, you may need support to understand your rights, express your views or ensure your voice is heard.
We want every carer in Devon to feel informed, confident and empowered to make decisions about their own wellbeing and the support provided to the person they care for.
Understanding Your Rights as a Carer
As an unpaid carer, you have rights. Understanding those rights can help you access support, make informed decisions and advocate for both yourself and the person you care for.
Useful resources include:
- Carers UK’s “Looking After Someone” guide, which provides practical information about caring, financial support and carers’ rights. Looking after someone guide | Carers UK
- Carers UK’s “Being Heard” self-advocacy guide, which can help you build confidence, prepare for meetings and ensure your views are taken into account. Being Heard – a self-advocacy guide for carers | Carers UK
Citizens Advice
Sometimes the best support is access to trusted information and independent advice.
Our partners at Citizens Advice Devon can provide guidance on a wide range of issues, including:
- Benefits and financial support
- Employment and carers’ rights
- Housing
- Debt and money management
- Family and legal matters
Advice is available through the Devon-wide Adviceline, local Citizens Advice services and online resources.
- Exeter – Citizens Advice Exeter
- Plymouth – Citizens Advice Plymouth | Welcome to Citizens Advice Plymouth, we’re here to help. The Citizens Advice service helps people to resolve their problems.
- South Hams – Citizens Advice South Hams
- Teignbridge – Citizens Advice Teignbridge – free advice in Devon
- Torbay – Home – Citizens Advice Torbay
- Torridge, North, Mid, and West Devon – Rural Devon Citizen’s Advice | Torridge, North, Mid …
Speaking Up for Yourself
Many carers become strong advocates for the people they support, but it can be harder to recognise and speak up for your own needs.
Whether you are attending a Carer’s Assessment, meeting with health professionals, discussing support arrangements or planning for the future, your views and experiences matter.
We encourage carers to:
- Ask questions when something is unclear
- Share what is important to them
- Be involved in decisions that affect their lives
- Seek information and advice when needed
- Request support if they find it difficult to express their views
Independent Advocacy
Some carers may be entitled to support from an independent advocate.
If you have substantial difficulty being involved in decisions about your care and support, and there is no appropriate person available to support you, an independent advocate may be able to help.
Advocacy support may be available during:
- A Carer’s Assessment
- Support planning
- Reviews of support
- Safeguarding processes
An advocate’s role is to help you understand information, express your views, understand your rights and ensure your voice is heard throughout the decision-making process.
Where advocacy may be appropriate, a social care professional can discuss this with you and make a referral to the Independent Advocacy Service Advocacy – Disability Together.
We’re Here to Help You do not need to navigate caring alone. Caring in Devon can help you access information, advice and support, connect you with specialist services and ensure you have the tools and confidence to make your voice heard.