Carers Cards

I am a Carer Card and Carers Emergency Cards, what's the difference?

Carers Together offer local carers a 'I am a carer' card and both Local Authorities within the South Tees area (Middlesbrough & Redcar & Cleveland) offer Emergency Carers Cards. This information aims to highlight the difference between the cards and the value of having each of them:

Carers Together- 'I am a carer' card

If you are concerned about how you can identify yourself as a Carer, Carers Together have created a new 'I am a Carer Card' to make this easier for you. This free card identifies the holder as a Carer who is registered with Carers Together. The card is available to new and existing Carers across South Tees.  To request a card please call the Carers Together office on 01642 488977.

Carers Together- 'I am a carer' card

Carers Together- 'I am a carer' card reverse

This card is offered in addition to the Local Authority Emergency Card Scheme. 

Emergency cards 

The Carers Emergency Card is for when an accident or emergency means the carer cannot look after the person they care for and if no other arrangements can be made.

Carers who apply will be issued with a small card (the size of a credit card) that identifies the person as a carer. It does not contain any personal information.

It contains: 

  • A reference number
  • The Adult Single Point of Access Team telephone number
  • Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team telephone number
  • The reference number links to the Adult Social Care database which holds details about the Carer, the person they care for and any emergency contacts.

This information is treated in the strictest confidence.

How does the scheme work?

In an emergency, the Adult Single Point of Access will get in touch with the people who have been nominated along with the person they care for.

If the Department is unable to get in touch with the nominated emergency contacts or if there aren’t any nominated emergency contacts, Adult Social Care will arrange alternative support. The Department will make sure the person who is cared for is safe.

The person who is cared for can also have a card. The card will be linked to the Carer's information on the Adult Social Care database. 

Want to know more about the Carers Emergency Card?

You can contact Carers Together who can support both Middlesbrough carers and Redcar & Cleveland carers to obtain their carers emergency card on 01642 488977 or e-mail: info@carerstogether-rc.org.uk  

I don't want a Carers Emergency Card

If for any reason carers decide not to carry an emergency carers card we recommend that they create an emergency plan with the person they care for, to use in circumstances where help from other people to deliver care may be needed. Depending on the circumstances, this could be help from family or friends or a care provider.

To create an emergency plan that fits the needs of the person you care for, you will need to set out:

  • the name and address and any other contact details of the person you look after
  • who you and the person you look after would like to be contacted in an emergency
  • details of any medication the person you look after is taking
  • details of any ongoing treatment they need
  • details of any medical appointments they need to keep

You should also ensure that it is in a format that can readily be shared with other people who will need to discuss the plan with the person you care for.