As part of the Carers’ Week Celebrations, Minister for Care Helen Whately hosted a Downing Street reception for unpaid carers to champion their work.
More then 30 unpaid carers, young carers and representatives of care organisations were in attendance, with the event also providing a forum for discussions to take place on how recognition and support for carers can be boosted by both the government, and the public.
Helen Whately, Minister for Care, said:
“Over four million people in England are unpaid carers. Carers Week is a time to focus on the huge efforts of carers, show appreciation and focus on what more we can do to support people caring for loved ones.
“Making sure carers are recognised in health, social care and education is a priority – along with helping people recognise themselves as carers so they can tap into local carers networks and support.
“I care about carers. I am going to hold a cross-government roundtable with other ministers to make sure that carers’ needs aren’t just recognised in social care, but in every aspect of their lives.”
The minister made a call for communities to come together around the country to support carers and recognise the huge contribution that they make to society. The event was held in partnership with Carers UK and gave carers, and the organisations that represent them, the opportunity to hold conversations around the next steps that can be taken to improve support for carers.
Chief Executive of Carers UK, Helen Walker, said:
“Carers Week is an important annual opportunity to recognise the vital contribution made by the UK’s estimated 5.7 million unpaid carers looking after relatives or friends who are older, disabled or seriously ill.
“While often a rewarding role, caring for a loved one also comes with its challenges. This week we highlight just how important it is that unpaid carers are acknowledged and supported by all part of the community.
“Yesterday’s Downing Street reception was an exciting occasion for unpaid carers to come together and be recognised for their contribution. We welcome the Minister for Care’s commitment to a cross-government roundtable which will be an important opportunity for ministers to consider the financial and practical support many unpaid carers really need.”
Remaining committed to reforming adult social care, including for those with care responsibilities, the government published the Next Steps to put People at the Heart of Care plan in April with this reflecting the massive contribution that carers make. It also introduced a £25 million funding package for carers, with details on that being announced in ‘due course.’
For 2023 to 2024, £327 million has been set aside by the Better Care Fund to support local authorities with their health and care services. Including helping to provide carers with advice, support, short breaks and respite services. Local authorities are also to be held to account on their adult social care services through a new assessment into the delivery of their duties, as set out in the Care Act 2014. This includes services related to unpaid carers.
The government has also announced that it is exploring new ways of collecting data, in order to increase its understanding of how unpaid carers can access support. This will be done through a potential new survey for carers that are unpaid, as well as working alongside NHS England to streamline the ways that unpaid carers are registered with health records, supporting the overall goal of monitoring the needs of carers more closely, helping to inform decisions around what can be done to support them.
