The following article is taken from a series of articles covering topics relevant to carers, by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers:

Many carers find that the 'system' isn't an organised system at all and the range of services available varies hugely from area to area. One way to help piece together a jigsaw of services is to keep a diary or notebook and write down the date and details of any contact that you have with the professionals.

Useful questions to ask: Who are you? Which part of the service do you work for? Where are you based? Can I contact you directly if I need to? How do I contact you? Is there a best time of day to get hold of you? What do I do if I need help outside office hours?

People sometimes find it difficult to get the help they need from professionals. Contact can sometimes be frustrating and even distressing. Build up your confidence, it helps if you can feel confident in yourself and are clear about what you need. Remember that confidence increases with experience. Draw on your own experience. Think back over some of the difficult things you've done successfully - encourage yourself by recalling these positive experiences.

Develop a positive attitude. If you feel confident and believe in yourself and in the value of what you're doing, the people you come into contact with will value and respect you in turn. Be clear about what you want. Be specific - think about the important facts that the person you're speaking to needs to know. Say what you want directly, you don't need to be apologetic about saying what you need. Stick to what you want to say and don't be side tracked.