Coming Home
Guides
Plain-English guides for carers and families. Anyone can read them, and the PDF is there to download.
Browse by topic
Looking after yourself
11 guides
Looking after yourself
Caring for a parent from a distance: a family guide
How to help a parent who lives far away: a local contact, paperwork from home, assessments, visits, who to tell and a shared family rota.
Version 1. October 2026.
Looking after yourself
Looking after yourself as a carer: a family guide
A family guide to looking after yourself as a carer, in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Version 1.1. October 2026.
Looking after yourself
Respite care: getting a break from caring
Types of break, how to ask the council, who pays, benefits during a short care home stay and planning for emergencies. England, Wales, Scotland and NI.
Version 1. October 2026.
Looking after yourself
Sharing the caring: a family guide for brothers, sisters and everyone who helps
How families can share caring: a family meeting, a weekly rota, money and records, Carer's Allowance for one carer, and what to do when it goes wrong.
Version 1. October 2026.
Looking after yourself
Working and caring: your rights and practical help
Carer's leave, time off in an emergency, flexible working, Carer's Allowance earnings and going back to work, with what's in force and what's planned.
Version 1. October 2026.
Arranging care
Adult Carer Support Plan: help for you, as a carer in Scotland
Your right to an Adult Carer Support Plan in Scotland: how to ask, a letter to copy, local eligibility criteria, breaks and what to do if you disagree.
Version 1. October 2026.
Money and benefits
Carer's Allowance in Scotland: Carer Support Payment
Carer Support Payment, Scotland's Carer's Allowance: 2026/27 rates, who can get it, work and study rules, other benefits, applying and disagreeing.
Version 1. October 2026.
Money and benefits
Carer's Allowance: a guide for people caring 35 hours a week
A family guide to Carer's Allowance in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with Scotland's Carer Support Payment.
Version 1.0.1. October 2026.
Arranging care
Carer's assessment: help for you, as a carer
Your right to a carer's assessment: how to ask, getting ready, a letter to copy, the eligibility rules, support plans and what to do if you disagree.
Version 1. October 2026.
Money and benefits
Council Tax help for carers and families
Money off Council Tax for live-in carers, dementia, adapted homes, low incomes and care home moves, with a letter to copy. England, Wales, Scotland and NI.
Version 1. October 2026.
Coming home from hospital
The first week home from hospital: a day by day guide
The first 7 days after someone comes home from hospital: papers, medicines, visits, sharing the week, missed visits, notes and a week planner.
Version 1. October 2026.
