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The role of unpaid carers has been recognised by the Government in a new action plan that includes measures to help carers reach their potential in education or work.
Nearly one in 10 people in England is an unpaid carer, including children, working-age adults and older people who may have their own health and care needs. They can experience challenges with keeping up careers or education, looking after their own health – including loneliness and isolation – and difficulties in taking breaks away from caring.
The plan contains 42 clear actions and sets out practical steps across health, social care, education, employment and social security to improve support for unpaid carers.
Unpaid carers will now have their role registered on the NHS App so that health professionals can clearly see they are carers, with the aim of involving them in care planning and referring them to the right support. A carers’ charter will also be published this summer, setting out the carer’s rights and entitlements.
Unpaid carers are owed a debt of gratitude
The Government also says that carers will be central to hospital discharge planning, under reforms to the Better Care Fund. In addition, a new single patient record will mean all health and care providers will have the same information, so that unpaid carers will no longer need to repeat the same information about their loved one when helping them manage appointments and prescriptions.
Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said: “Unpaid carers make an extraordinary contribution in our communities, caring for loved ones, often putting the needs of others before their own, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for all they do.
“But too many still go unseen, struggle to find support or feel caring has held back their own health, education, work or retirement. Our action plan is addressing some of these challenges and is focused on helping carers reach their potential in education or work. To all unpaid and young carers across the country – this government values your contribution and is committed to building a system that recognises and supports you.”
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The plan includes a section on young carers so that they can be identified quicker and better supported so they can stay in education without falling behind at school. Schools will be held accountable using data on young carers’ attendance, alongside secure information sharing across services, so they are supported.
Support also includes helping them to reach their potential or remain in work or education, so they can have fulfilling lives beyond their caring responsibilities.
Plan is a positive step, say charities
Kirsty McHugh, CEO, Carers Trust, said: “This action plan has the right aims – to make it easier for carers to be identified, get support, and ensure carers are properly considered across health, education and employment. All too often carers continue caring without support, despite the impact on their wellbeing, finances and future opportunities.
“The plan is a positive step as we await the Casey Commission on social care reform, and it must lead to tangible change for carers. That means ensuring help is available when they need it, sustained investment in the services that support them, and a long-term strategic approach that tackles the pressures carers face every day.
Emily Holzhausen CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Carers UK, added: “This is a positive step forwards for unpaid carers, recognising that all too often they face fragmented services, barriers to support and a lack of recognition for the essential role they play looking after family and friends.
“Carers’ lives do not fit neatly within the remit of a single department. The challenges they face span health, social care, employment, education, housing and welfare. Carers UK is encouraged to see a more joined-up approach, bringing government departments together to prioritise carers’ needs, outline who is responsible and how progress can be tracked.”
