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Carers Passport

Carers Passport image with keys

A Carer’s Passport is a simple, practical way to make sure carers are recognised, understood and supported. 

If you look after a family member or friend, a Carer’s Passport helps explain your caring role without you having to repeat your story over and over again. It clearly sets out that you are a carer and highlights the support or flexibility you may need in your day-to-day life. 

This could include understanding around attending appointments, flexibility at work or education, or support from health and care services when things feel overwhelming. 

How can I use a Carers Passport?

You can use your Carer’s Passport in whatever way works best for you. Some common ways carers use it include: 

  • At work – to help explain your caring role and support conversations about flexible hours, time off for appointments, or understanding during difficult periods. 
  • In education or training – sharing it with a college, university or training provider so they’re aware of your responsibilities and can offer reasonable adjustments. 
  • With health services – showing it to GP surgeries, hospital staff or other health professionals so they understand your role and can take your needs into account. 
  • With care and support services – helping services quickly understand your situation without you having to repeat your story. 
  • Daily situations – when shopping, using public transport or accessing community services like leisure centres and libraries where extra support may be needed. 
  • As a conversation starter – to open up discussions about what support might help you now or in the future. 

University Hospitals of Leicester Carers Passport

University Hospitals of Leicester provide their own separate carers passport to ours to support you if the person you care for is staying in a Leicester hospital. It enables you to: 

  • Visit out of normal visiting hours  
  • Assist with personal care, meals and drinking if you wish to  
  • Be actively involved in discussions about the person  
  • Be involved in discussion and planning for discharge from hospital  
  • Provide support to the person you care for when they are having tests in the hospital 

Though these passports are separate to the passports provided by us, they still recognise Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Carers passports, you just need to speak to a member of staff. 

How do I apply for a passport?

Getting a Carer’s Passport is straightforward, but the organisation you apply through depends on where you live. 

Simply contact us to register as a carer. Once you’re registered, we’ll arrange for your Carer’s Passport to be sent to you and can talk you through how to use it and what support is available to you as a carer.

Carer’s Passports are provided by VASL (Voluntary Action South Leicestershire). They support carers living outside Leicester City and will be able to advise you on how to apply and what happens next.

Carer’s Passports are managed by Rutland County Council. They can explain the application process and offer information about local carer support in your area. 

If you’re not sure which area you fall into, or you’d like help contacting the right organisation, you can still get in touch with us. We’re always happy to help you find the right support and make the process as easy as possible. 

How to show your Carers Passport

To make the Carer’s Passport as accessible and easy to use as possible, it’s available in both digital and physical formats. 

You can download a PDF version to your phone and show it instantly, with just a click of a button. This is ideal when you’re out and about and need quick, easy access.

You can keep a printed copy in your purse or wallet, ready to show whenever you need it.

If you’d prefer something even more visible and easy to access, we can provide a free lanyard that holds your Carer’s Passport. This is available on request. 

Whether you choose digital, physical, or both, your Carer’s Passport is designed to fit around your life and be there when you need it. 

‘I am a Carer’ Card

When you apply for a Carer’s Passport, you’ll also receive an ‘I Am a Carer’ card. This is a small card you can carry with you to identify that you’re a carer in an emergency. 

If you find yourself in any kind of emergency — for example, if you are taken ill, involved in an accident, or unexpectedly delayed — the card includes your name, the name of the person you care for, and an emergency contact. This helps ensure the right people can be contacted quickly so the person you care for remains safe and supported. 

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