Agenda item

(To receive a report by Emma Krasinska, Carers Lead, Adult Care and Community Wellbeing, which provides the Committee with an opportunity to consider the Carers Commissioning Strategy 2016-2018)

Consideration was given to a report which provided the Committee with the opportunity to comment on the current content of the Carers Commissioning Strategy 2017-2020.  The purpose of this strategy was to support the health and wellbeing of carers of all ages in Lincolnshire.  It was believed that there were around 80,000 carers in Lincolnshire, but of these only around 30,000 of these were known to the County Council. 

The Committee was guided through the report and some of the statistics highlighted were as follows:

·         85% of carers co-habit with the person they support

·         62% of carers had a disability or long standing illness

·         19% of carers were not in paid employment because of their caring responsibilities

·         37% of carers had as much social contact as they would like (although it was noted that this also meant that over 60% were not getting as much social contact as they would like)

It was reported that all the actions were either in progress or complete, but it was acknowledged that there was a need for more work around this agenda.  Carers support now reported to the Director Public Health and considerations for those with caring responsibilities were being incorporated into every aspect of the directorate's work.

It was highlighted that one area where more work was required was around the employers of carers, and how they were taking care of those of their workforce who were carers.  It was queried whether there were things that should be picked up around this area.

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         For every instance where a carer asked for help, it was likely that there would be 10 who did not.  The care system would not survive without those carers, therefore it was important that they were supported.

·         In terms of carers and employment, it was noted that where people were desperate to get back into the job market, early outreach was important.  It was also very important to ensure that any carers who were also in employment managed to keep that job.  A big part of the work being done with Carers First was getting people back into employment and helping people who were struggling. 

·         It was important to note that a person could become a carer in an instant, for example if a loved one had an accident, or a stroke.

·         People who had been a carer for a long time may be unsure about re-entering employment, particularly if they had to also rely on day centres, as the hours were not always employment friendly.

·         It was commented that it was important to realise that caring for someone did not need to be a full time role, although in a lot of cases it would be.

·         In terms of the amount of social contact carers received, it was highlighted that some of the South Holland District Councillors were using part of their allowances to take carers out for a Christmas lunch.

·         In terms of young carers, it was reported that this was often an unknown area for a lot of young people.

·         Members were advised that this was an all age commissioning strategy, and support for young cares was being provided through the early help service which included working with schools to help them to identify and provide support for carers in schools.

·         Taking a whole family approach was one of the priorities for the strategy.  For example, a young person with caring responsibilities may want to go to their nearest university.  Work had been carried out with the University of Lincoln so that it could be included on the admissions form if someone was a young carer so they could receive welfare and support from the university.

·         Members were informed that there were strong links with housing companies and district councils in relation to housing.

·         It was hoped that a Carers Portal could be created where carers would be able to connect with each other.

·         Members were informed that Carers First had been shortlisted for a national award through the Health Service Journal.  The organisation was well recognised for the work it did and raised the profile of the support that was available.

RESOLVED

            That the content of the current Carers Commissioning Strategy be noted and feedback considered by the Executive.