Definition of unpaid carer....

[Endlesslymumming]

I’ve name changed for this, because I genuinely don’t know where I stand, and feel I’m being cheeky, but two of my close friends have raised this today which got me wondering...
What I want to know is whether I fit the definition for unpaid carer....
My son is 18 and had autism. He is going to be staying home with us as an adult I should think, and I am responsible for (when school is open) doing the school runs, lots of communication with school, all medical and any social anything he goes to.
The flip side of this is he can appear very ‘able’ with all my help. He goes to a mainstream college, and did well in GCSEs. He could not function without me though, and I have friends with kids with physical disabilities who are much more independent than him (I’m just trying to give some indication of need). He has no friends or ability to manage his life.
He is very very anxious about me catching Corona and is refusing to go back to college until I am jabbed. (Before all this I was under investigation for a serious Autoimmune condition, and have a couple of other risk factors, but nothing that puts me in a priority group. I am 48)
I have never used the term ‘carer’ about myself. I’m his mum. I even long debated the ethics of queue jumper passes at theme parks for us (before getting one, or he wouldn’t have made it on a ride)!
I don’t know what to do. I feel like a fraud. Maybe I am. What is the definition? I really can’t work out if I meet it....I don’t want my surgery to think I’m trying to pull a fast one. help!

Are you in receipt of Carers Allowance, or would you qualify if you did apply? Other than that it's very difficult to distinguish between a carer and a parent, and it would probably be down to the person on the other end of the phone at the GPs to decide, unless you are registered already as a carer at your GPs and as such get called in for flu jabs and a review of your personal needs

There’s no precise definition and I think it would depend on what your GP knows of your son’s care needs and how you meet them. The JCVI guidance published on 30 December talks of “[o]ther groups at higher risk, including those who are in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill, should also be offered vaccination alongside these groups” - which indicates priority only for people who care for somebody CEV or whose basic needs could not be met without their care.

As previous poster says, to some extent all parents perform care which could not be done without them - particularly single parents - yet being a parent is not a priority category.

The have recently updated to include ‘parent carers’ specifically, and I meet the definition. I’ve never claimed Benefit because I’m lucky enough not to need to but I think I meet the criteria in the gov website. Although it’s very vague...!

Not sure in your scenario definitely speak to your GP about your situation - do you get a free flu jab each year?
I am registered as a carer for my CEV partner with the GP and I am invited for a flu vaccine every year.
The problem with unpaid caring responsibilities is they go largely unnoticed unless you flag this to whomever needs to know, in my case employer and GP.

No, don’t get flu jab, never asked though and I’m not registered in this way....although they know of my son. Ill email them and they can make the call.
Thanks for replies.

You normalise what you do as a mum , actually you are his carer as well . Please don’t feel bad , get the jab early in phase 6 . If you god forbid died from covid , it would cost the government a lot more in terms of providing support for your son as he wouldn’t have you to fight his battles .

Thankyou. Made me cry a little. I just think of us as a family, but I know my life revolves around his needs, and probably always will...

I am registered as a carer with my GP and receive the flu jab because of this. I don't claim carers allowance, like you, because I don't financially need it. My son is entitled to DLA for his condition (which I don't claim either, but it is clear from the NICE guidelines about his condition that he should be automatically eligible). If I were to be incapacitated with Covid he could become really poorly and hospital care for people with his condition is not good. I share your anxiety about the process. I am hoping that I will be called in group six (I may be eligible anyway due to my underlying condition although it's not clear from the guidelines whether all people with my condition will get it or just those taking certain medication).

To add, my son would get the vaccine if he were 16 and I'm sure will get it once it's approved for paediatrics, but in the meantime, it will be up to me to make sure that if he has covid, he doesn't need to be hospitalised, so I don't have any compunction about taking the vaccine if offered.

Also, what autoimmune condition do you have? People with lupus, RA and psoriasis "should" be getting the vaccine, although it's not completely clear if it just those on immune suppressants (rather than immune modulators).

As the parent of a younger similarly functioning autistic child I would say absolutely yes. From what you describe you do with lobe for your son but it is certainly different to that of a neurotypical child. If you became ill it would cause your son significant distress. You don't have to say yes but if you do, don't feel bad.

Frazzle...I’m being investigated for Lupus, but not on the medication that would qualify me as of yet (which is great, I’d rather not need it)!
I’ve dug a little deeper and found this, which although not from my LA, makes it clear I qualify, and says how to communicate this...the link might help others.
www.gatesheadcarers.com/news/unpaid-carers-are-on-the-priorities-list-for-covid-19-vaccinations

Make sure you are registered with your gp as a carer.

Call your GP - you definitely should be getting from a moral standpoint.