Issue - meetings

Elaine Carolan explained that the County Council worked with the Worcestershire Association of Carers (WAC) on the Carers Strategy and they had reached the third year of a five year all age strategy. The action plan was included in the agenda.

Mel Smith from WAC told the Board that they welcomed the commitment to the funding of the Carers' Hub.  She explained that an increasing priority was work with older carers and understanding their specific needs which included fear of one of them needing to move to a care home.

Carers Action Worcestershire were also working to fulfil the strategy and had brought in an additional £150,000 in funding for carers in Worcestershire.

Lots of carers were finding they had to deal with more complex needs and the demands being placed upon unpaid family members were increasing.

The following points were made during the discussion:

·       Consideration of carers should be embedded in all the work done by the Council and healthcare providers. The STP was mindful of carers but was now at the position whereby statements of principle needed to transfer into actions,

·       The figure showing that the numbers of carers' assessments had fallen was because they were the numbers referred back to the County Council with unmet need. Higher numbers of carers were having their needs met through Community Assets than previously,

·       The Carers Hub dealt with carers from the age of 18 and the Young Carers service continued to look after carers to the age of 25 so there was an overlap to ensure there was not a gap at transition. The Carers Hub was always aware to try to identify young carers,

·       Chris a member of the Right Support for Carers Sub Group and the Partnership Board explained that much had improved for Carers but there was more to do such as working with older carers and allaying their fears about suitable housing for their dependents.

RESOLVED that the Health and Well-being Board noted the update on the third year of the Carers' Strategy and commented on the next two years of the Strategy.