National and local context
National Context
According to the 2021 census 8.7% of the England population are unpaid carers which represents an overall drop in carer numbers. However, the intensity of caring has significantly increased with 250,000 more carers caring for 20 to 50 hours per week.
The government announced in 2018 that is would not produce a National Carers Strategy and produced a National Carers Action Plan 2018 – 2020 with 5 main priorities:
- Services and systems that improve support for carers.
- Supporting the financial wellbeing of carers.
- Raising awareness and supporting carers in the community.
- Support for young carers.
- Improve outcomes for carers with evidence-based research.
The Care Act 2014 has made it a requirement for Local Authorities to support carers via an assessment of need. Therefore, all carers have the right to request a carers assessment and appropriate support plan coproduced with carers. However, the legislation outlines that respite and replacement care should be via the cared for assessment and not the carer. Carers can however have access to a direct payment as part of the support planning.
The NHS Long Term Plan has also put forward some recommendations for supporting carers. The Plan recommends that:
- Carers should be supported in emergencies and contingency plans in place and recorded in Summary Care records.
- Use of carers passports within hospital settings to help support carers.
- Care Quality Commission primary care quality markers in place to support carers.
- Raise awareness of Young Carers in primary care and support with prevention and social prescribing.
The Health and Care Act 2022 has now set out in law that Integrated Care Boards are required to ensure that carers are equal partners in their support, service development and any changes or decisions regarding the person they care for. Hospitals are required to coproduce discharge plans with carers.
Local context
For Warwickshire the number of unpaid carers is estimated from census 2021 data to be 52,725, which is a drop in previous estimate of 65,000. The proportion of unpaid carers (8.8%) is similar to the England figures (8.7%) but less than the West Midlands region (9.3%). The intensity of caring has seen an increase with 4.1% of the Warwickshire population caring for someone more than 20 hours a week. The true picture of caring could be a significant under-representation as many carers remain ‘hidden’ from services and support.
The previous Warwickshire Joint Adult Carers Strategy 2017 –2020 was not all age and required a refresh. It was agreed that this would be done jointly with Coventry City Council as the lead organisation. The decision was taken that there will not be a strategy but an action plan in line with the national position.
Key strategic interdependencies
- Coventry and Warwickshire ICS Health Inequalities Strategic Plan 2022 -2027
- Coventry and Warwickshire Living Well with Dementia Strategy 2022-2027
- Joint Strategy for Autism People (Coventry and Warwickshire) 2021-2026
- Warwickshire Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020 - 2025
- Warwickshire SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2019 –2023 & SEND Working Together Charter.