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If you care for someone with a learning disability

Caring for a family member or a friend with a learning disability is usually a lifelong experience. 

You may live with the person you care for, or they may live somewhere else. We can support you, as well as the person you care for. 

A carer is a person is unpaid and has a personal, ongoing relationship with the person who has a learning disability. The person a carer supports may live at home with them, or live elsewhere.

Carer's assessments

As a carer you may provide support with many things including personal care, helping someone to get out and about, emotional support, support with money matters and advocacy.

Caring for someone may affect parts of your everyday life, for example, your health and emotional wellbeing, your ability to access to training and work or the time you have to yourself.

If caring for someone is having an impact, you may want to consider having a carer's assessment. This is an opportunity for you to talk about your caring role and what needs you may have so you can get the right sort of help to assist you.

If you would like further information about support for you, or would like to find out if you can have a carer's assessment, please contact the Adult Learning Disability Team using the information below.

Bedford Duty/Intake Team
Borough Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford                      
MK42 9AP

Tel: 01234 276762

Monday to Thursday: 9am to 5pm
Friday: 9am to 4pm

If you need to speak to a Duty/Intake Worker outside of working hours, please call the Emergency Duty team.

Tel: 0300 300 8123

Shared Lives Bedford

Shared Lives Bedford supports adults and young people aged from 16 years old with learning disabilities to access greater everyday life opportunities within the local community.

We achieve this by recruiting, training and supporting Shared Lives Carers and working alongside people with learning disabilities, to look at the most suitable match for them and their individual needs. 

Information about all of our services, advice and support can be gained from our Duty Team on 01234 276762. 

We also have Shared Lives Bedford, which aims to support individuals to be matched to a carer and access short breaks or long-term placements in a home environment.

All of our services are supported by friendly, professional and knowledgeable staff who are motivated to support and care for adults with learning disabilities.