New All-Age Carers Strategy launched for 2017-2021
A new strategy for carers has been launched to ensure carers of all ages get the right advice and support to improve their health and well-being.
All-Age Carers Strategy 2017-2021
The launch marks national Carers Week which started today (Monday 12 June 2017) and goes on until Sunday 18 June 2017.
The All-Age Carers Strategy for 2017-2021 was created in consultation with carers across Shropshire and the Family Carers Partnership Board, a local multi-agency working group made up of various organisations across the county. The overall aim of the strategy is that carers are supported to remain emotionally, mentally and physically well and feeling safe.
Five priorities have been identified in the strategy:
- Carers are listened to, valued and respected.
- Carers are enabled to have time for themselves.
- Carers can access timely, up to date information and advice.
- Carers are enabled to plan for the future.
- Carers are able to fulfil their educational, training or employment potential.
An action plan has now been produced and work is now underway to achieve the priorities. Work includes carer involvement in hospital discharge procedures including medication discussions.
A carer is someone who provides support to family or friends who could not manage without this help. This could be a parent caring for their child, caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems. A young carer is a child or young person from 5 years up to 18 years of age who may be helping to care for a parent, sibling or other family member.
Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, adult social care and housing, said:
“The contribution ‘carers’ of all ages make to society cannot be underestimated. The All-Age Carers Strategy acknowledges that vital role, and sets out how we will work together across the county to help local carers, providing them with training and support, and working with local carers organisations.
“We are committed to deliver this strategy and make a real difference, to ensure that everyone plays a part in working together to improve their health and well-being.
“I would urge anybody with a caring role to read this important document. Please do contact us if you have questions about the strategy.”
Karen Bradshaw, Shropshire Council’s director of children’s services, said:
“There are more than 600 known young carers in Shropshire.
“Caring has a known impact on young people through poorer emotional and physical health, and life chances such as education. However, the picture is not always gloomy, and with help and support, a balance between caring responsibilities and being a child or young person can be achieved.
“We have spoken to our young carers who have told us they want to be treated as individual children and young people first, and need to understand more about the medication the person they care for takes. This is reflected in the strategy and action plan.”
Andy Begley, Shropshire Council’s director of adult social care and housing, said:
“The work carers do is invaluable, but whilst caring can be rewarding, we also know that not receiving help at an early stage can lead to financial difficulty, poorer physical and emotional health, a need to give up work and social isolation.
“We are delighted to support the All-Age Carers Strategy for Shropshire, which has been produced in consultation with Shropshire carers and partners. Through this, priorities have been identified for 2017-2021 to address the needs of our carers, and create better health and well-being outcomes for everyone.”
The All-Age Carers Strategy 2017 to 20121 along with its action plan can be viewed at the Shropshire Choices website at https://www.shropshirechoices.org.uk/icareforsomeone/.
If you have any questions about the strategy email shropshiretogether@shropshire.gov.uk.
If you or someone you know looks after a vulnerable adult or child or you are a young carer supporting a vulnerable adult, and need some advice and support, contact Carers Trust 4all on 01743 341994.
For parent carers of children and young people aged 0-25 years who have a disability or additional need, call Shropshire Information, Advice and Support Service (Shropshire IASS) on 01743 280019.
Further information
Shropshire’s Family Carers Partnership Board is made up of the following organisations.
- Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, adult social care and housing (Chair)
- Shropshire Council’s director of adult social care and housing
- Shropshire Council’s director of children’s services or representative
- Commissioner, Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) or representative
- Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust representative
- Family carers
- Shropshire Council’s adult social care/Making It Real
- Carers Trust4All
- Healthwatch
- Shropshire Council’s public health
- Parent And Carer Council (PACC)
- Shropshire Council’s carers lead
The Board work together to:
- Bring together family carers and people from the public, private, community and voluntary sectors to ensure effective local co-ordination and strategic planning.
- Ensure that family carers, including young carers are involved and barriers are identified and overcome. This will include holding appropriate services to account, monitoring adequacy of services and optimising resource allocation to improve the well-being of carers.
- Improve the lives of family carers and those they care for within Shropshire.
- The 2011 census shows us that among the 34,000 people currently caring for relatives, friends and neighbours in Shropshire, there are over a third who spend more than 20 hours a week caring, and over a fifth who dedicate 50 hours or more a week to their caring role. There are 3,457 carers who indicated they had bad or very bad health. Three in four are over the age of 54.
