Back-up Emergency Care

Carers Emergency Response Service (CERS)

Birmingham Carers Hub offers emergency back-up care, known as Carers Emergency Response Service known as ‘CERS’. This service is available to Carers who care for someone aged four* and above you will need to be a Carer with Birmingham Carers Hub. Once you have registered with CERS, you can benefit from a planned sitting service, so you can get to important appointments, such as at the doctor’s or hospital, as well as a FREE emergency back-up service in the event of an emergency such as illness or an accident. We like to think of it as the City’s 4th emergency service. 
*CERS is only available to the cared for and not to supervise other siblings.  

Once registered, we will also assess your caring situation and agree an emergency back-up plan with you. You will receive a business-sized card with a dedicated emergency contact number for times of crisis for you to carry with you everywhere you go. In the event that anything should happen to you in a crisis, the emergency services will contact CERS so they can spring into action when you need them most. Back-up care is provided ‘at home’ for up to two days, allowing alternative arrangements to be made with family, friends or social services.  

CERS is operated by Midland Mencap and is regulated by the Care Quality Commission. All care and support staff are qualified and experienced in caring roles. 

The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can provide support for up to 48 hours (72 hours on Bank Holidays), after which, longer-term care can be arranged if necessary. 

Register today with CERS by calling 
T: 0121 442 2960 

Planning for the future

Unfortunately, we cannot control every aspect of our lives, sometimes situations crop up that we had not planned for. What we can control, however, is how we respond to them; having a contingency in place for replacement care for your loved one is something that you can proactively do. Pull together important contact names and numbers plus all the relevant information about the person you provide care for so that support can be given in your absence. Keep this emergency plan in a prominent place and remember to tell a family member or friend about it should you fall ill for example.