Being a carer for your child or adult dependant means going above your parenting role in comparison to another parent for a child of the same age.
Are you a parent carer?
Being a parent carer means you undertake additional tasks, and spend more time taking care of them. This could involve feeding, bathing, taking them to appointments, providing additional emotional support, changing them and providing personal care. These tasks may be stopping you from living your life in the way you would wish, such as having a job, spending time with friends or paying your bills.
Being a parent can be hard work but you might be a carer if you provide care that goes beyond usual day-to-day parenting for your child, no matter their age. We understand that it can be difficult to tell the difference between being a parent and a carer, and separating your caring role from the relationship you have with the person you are caring for.
We’ll be using the term 'child' to keep things simple, but they could be any age.
Getting help
If you feel you might be a carer for your child, you may be feeling lonely and isolated, tired and emotional, and that you need help and support with your finances.
The Council's Family Centres
Your local Family Centre can provide information and support. Spend some time with one of our Family Workers who can direct you to information services that could help you.
If you are looking for other parents to chat to, and to meet people in a similar position, your local Family Centre can help you find local clubs, support groups and friendship opportunities. This is a good way of tackling loneliness, sharing ideas, and learning from other parents. The Family Centre is a friendly, welcoming place where you can have some down time and talk to others.
Our Family Centres are located across the county so you will find one near you.
Your support network
Have you looked at the support network around you?
We often forget to seek help from family and friends. This can be because we don’t want to bother them, but more often than not they are the ones that know you and your child best. Make use of the people around you to help and support you. Can a family member or close friend help so that you can take a break, or help take your child to an appointment.
Our support networks are where we can find people that we trust to help, and often they know our children well.
Your GP
Have you spoken to your GP to seek guidance around any health needs that you are supporting your child with?
Your GP can also refer you for counselling if you feel this is something that you need. Providing caring support to someone can take its toll on you and your emotional wellbeing.
Support, advice and information services
- The Carers Trust North Wales Crossroads Care Services provide a range of services to carers in Conwy. They might be able to advise and support with respite, to help you have a break from caring responsibilities.
- Carers Wales offer advice on benefits, work and technology.
- Being a carer can be costly, so seek advice around money, finances, and any benefits you may be entitled to from your local Welfare Rights team.
- The Family Information Service and Dewis Cymru have information on local groups and clubs.
- If you are a larger family, caring for a child may take you away from your other children, who may also support you with your caring responsibilities. You can get help, support and respite for your other children via WCD Young Carers. This will give them their own time to process things and to have a break from the household.
- If you find that your caring responsibilities are having an effect on your relationship, Relate can offer relationship advice and counselling support.
- STAND is a parent-led organisation that supports families and adults with additional needs and disabilities. STAND offers a range of training, parent support groups, and activities within the community for all ages. STAND has members of the team who are trainers for the National Autistic Society.
- Conwy Connect CC4LD are a member-led organisation across North Wales. In addition to organising activities for all ages, they have transition, health, engagement and self-advocacy projects.
- Parent Talk provides free and confidential online chat for parents and carers.
- Parenting Give it Time offers free practical tips and expert advice on all your parenting challenges.
- Home Start Cymru is a family charity who offer support to parents when they need it most.
- The All Wales Forum empowers parents and carers of people with a learning disability.
- Cerebra can help you find solutions when you’re having trouble sleeping.
- AP Cymru is a charity that can support you with neurodiversity challenges.
- Behaviour Support Hub can help you with behaviour that challenges, and neurodiverse conditions.
Telephone support
- Family Lives (previously Parent Line): 0808 800 2222
- Childline: 0800 1111
- C.A.L.L. mental health helpline: 0800 132 737
- SNAP Cymru: 0808 801 0608
- Samaritans: 116 123
Social worker
If you already have a social worker, you can contact them to discuss your family’s needs.
Need to speak to us?
If you have explored the support pathways that we have suggested and feel that you need to discuss your needs with us, call us on 0300 456 1111 as you may be eligible for a Carer's Assessment.
The assessment will be conducted in your home by a member of staff, who will ask you a series of questions about your day-to-day life, what support you have already accessed, and what further support you need. The information you provide will help to establish if you are a carer and eligible for support from us.
A Carer's Assessment does not always mean that you will receive a service. It is a discussion about what could work for you as a family around your caring responsibilities.