A lot of unpaid carers in Sandwell worry about the same question: what happens to the person I care for if something happens to me? The borough has a more practical answer than many places. As well as carer’s assessments and support services, there is a local emergency card scheme, routes into replacement care and a published advocacy pathway when carers need help speaking up.
Who this page is for
This guide is for unpaid carers of adults in Sandwell, whether you look after an older relative, a disabled adult, somebody with mental health needs or someone whose health is becoming more complex.
Emergency planning in Sandwell
Sandwell’s emergency support for carers page encourages carers to prepare a simple emergency plan with medicines, contacts, keys, care routines and relevant details about the person they support.
The borough also runs a Carer’s Emergency Card scheme. The card identifies you as a carer and links to a 24-hour contact route so the best arrangements can be made if something unexpected happens to you.
How the Carer’s Emergency Card scheme works
- The scheme is free
- It is for carers who regularly provide unpaid support to a relative, friend or neighbour who cannot manage on their own
- The person being cared for must be a Sandwell resident
- Application and information route: Sandwell Community Alarms on 0121 569 6800 / 6802 or community_alarms@sandwell.gov.uk
The page explains that you can list one or two people who can be contacted in an emergency, but even if you cannot do that, the scheme can still be discussed alongside a carer’s assessment.
Replacement care and short breaks
Sandwell’s short breaks page explains that replacement care may be available when the person being cared for has had a care and support assessment and is eligible for services, and when the carer needs a break.
This can be planned or emergency support and may be arranged in the person’s own home or another setting depending on circumstances.
- Ask for both a carer’s assessment and, where relevant, a review of the cared-for person’s care and support plan
- Use Sandwell Enquiry on 0121 569 2266 to start that conversation
- Be clear whether you need regular breaks, emergency cover, or help with a one-off situation
Advocacy for carers
Sandwell has a specific advocacy page for carers. It lists routes such as Healthwatch Sandwell, Age UK Birmingham and Sandwell, PohWER, Voice Advocacy and others.
The page also explains that if you have difficulty understanding information or weighing up your choices around adult social care, you may have a legal right to a Care Act Advocate in discussions about assessment, support planning or safeguarding.
Useful Sandwell links
- Emergency support for carers
- Short breaks for carers of adults
- Carer’s assessment
- Advocacy for carers
- Community Alarms
- Contact Adult Social Care
