Father highlights unpaid carers' finance struggles

A father who gave up his NHS career to care full-time for his son has said his family would have struggled without support from an East Sussex charity.

Dale Gardiner, from Eastbourne, left his job as a senior radiology assistant to become Theo's full-time carer, a decision he said was necessary but financially daunting.

Twelve-year-old Theo has complex special needs and non-verbal autism. His father said he required constant supervision to keep him safe.

The charity Care for the Carers said many people did not realise they were unpaid carers and missed out on support as a result. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it was working to make the system fairer and simpler.

Gardiner told Politics South East how, as Theo grew older, balancing work and caring responsibilities became impossible for the family.

"He needs to be watched 24/7," he said. "He could climb that fence, go into the road. He doesn't understand that a car could hit him and things could go seriously wrong.

"My wife was getting scratched, her hair pulled. We were having bruises, being pushed down the stairs sometimes, and it was never his fault.

"It was just his communication. Frustration would take over."

After he left his job, he said he "started to get scared", adding: "I didn't know what to do with my finances, how we were going to cope, what we would have to cut as a household.

"It doesn't just stop for us as carers. We need help forever."

He added: "I will not go to work. I will always make sure I'm there for Theo, but I need their help."

It was only after contacting Care for the Carers that the family discovered they were entitled to Carer's Allowance.

While the payment of £86.45 a week does not replace his former salary, Gardiner said it had been vital in helping the family manage.

Miriam Wilkinson, from the charity, said: "If you're supporting a relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage without your help, you are an unpaid carer."

She said many people only sought help when they reached crisis point, making it harder to address the challenges they faced.

As part of Carers Week, which starts on Monday, Care for the Carers is encouraging anyone who thinks they qualify as an unpaid carer to seek advice and explore what help is available.

A DWP spokesperson said: "We are determined to fix the broken system we inherited by building one that is fairer, simpler, and works for the carers who do so much for our society.

"We're taking action by delivering the largest-ever increase to the Carer's Allowance earnings limit, reviewing over 200,000 cases affected by faulty guidance."

An East Sussex County Council spokesperson said the authority was committed to supporting unpaid carers and "continues to prioritise this area despite ongoing financial pressures".

The council said it maintained investment through its Better Care Fund and worked closely with Care for the Carers, and Imago, its East Sussex Young Carers service, to ensure "high-quality, joined-up support".

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