Help to create an emergency plan for if you are unexpectedly unable to provide care, and how to get a carer’s emergency card.
Create an emergency response plan
The Carers Emergency Response Service (CERS) can help when you are unexpectedly unable to provide care for someone.
If an emergency occurs, we will contact the people you name on your plan. If we cannot get hold of them, we will find alternative services and make sure the person you look after is safe.
The cost of these services is free for the first 48 hours. If over a Bank Holiday weekend this is free for the first 72 hours, however you will need to meet any costs after this period.
Setting up the service
We will help you to prepare an emergency response plan. This will include what you and the person you care for want to happen if you are unable to care for them.
- You must get consent for the plan from the person you care for if they have the capacity to do so.
- You must get consent from any named people or services.
- You should update your plan every year.
- You must notify us of any changes.
Using the service
Once your emergency plan has been created, you will receive a card and keyring. These will contain the 24-hour contact details.
Your card will have a unique identity number that links to your emergency plan. To activate the service, call the phone number on the card and quote the identity number. We will alert your named contacts to the situation and update them using the plan. If your named contacts are unavailable, we will do our best to source alternative services through social care.
For further information about this service please complete the request for support form