2.1 Carers

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 or disability .

Carers can play an important role in preventing and identifying the abuse and neglect of the people they care for.  The vast majority of carers strive to act in the best interests of the person they support. There are times, however, when carers may themselves experience abuse from the person to whom they are offering care and support or from the local community in which they live.

Risk of harm to the cared for person can also arise because of carer stress, tiredness, or lack of information, skills or support. Also, there may be times when the harm caused is deliberate.

Circumstances in which a carer could be involved in a situation that may require a safeguarding response from agencies include:

• a carer may witness or talk about abuse or neglect in relation to the adult they care for, or another person;
• a carer may experience intentional or unintentional harm from the adult they are supporting, or from professionals and organisations they are in contact with;
• a carer may harm or neglect the adult they support on their own or with others. This may, or may not, be deliberate.

2. Assessments

Assessments of both the carer and the adult they care for should always consider their wellbeing . The Care Act includes protection from abuse and neglect as part of the definition of wellbeing (see Wellbeing Principle chapter). As such, a needs assessment for the adult or a carer’s assessment is an important opportunity to explore the their circumstances and consider whether it would be possible to provide information or support to prevent abuse or neglect from occurring. This may be for example, by providing training to the carer about the condition that the adult they care for has, or to support them to care more safely. Where that is necessary the local authority should make arrangements for providing such interventions.

3. Safeguarding Enquiries

If a carer raises any issues about abuse or neglect, it is essential that they are listened to and that, where appropriate, a safeguarding enquiry is undertaken and other agencies are involved as required.

If a carer experiences intentional or unintentional harm from the adult they are supporting, or if a carer unintentionally or intentionally harms or neglects the adult they support, consideration should be given to:

• removing or reducing risk – consider whether, as part of the assessment and support planning process for the carer and / or the adult they care for, support can be provided that removes or reduces the risk of abuse. This may include, for example, the provision of training, information or other support that minimises the stress experienced by the carer. In some circumstances the carer may need to have independent representation or advocacy (see Independent Advocacy chapter); in others, a carer may benefit from having such support if they are under great stress;
• involving other agencies – in some circumstances where it is possible a criminal offence has been committed this will include alerting the police, or in others primary healthcare services may need to be involved in monitoring the situation.

Other key considerations for carers should include:

• involving carers in safeguarding enquiries relating to the adult they care for, as appropriate;
• whether or not a joint assessment of the adult and the carer is appropriate in each individual circumstance;
• the risk factors that may increase the likelihood of abuse or neglect occurring;
• whether a change in circumstance changes the risk of abuse or neglect occurring.

A change in circumstance should also trigger the review of the adult’s care and support plan and, or, carer’s support plan (see Care and Support Planning chapter).