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The Department of Health’s 2006 White Paper ‘Our Health, Our Care,Our Say’, made a commitment to launch a New Deal for Carers. It included a revision of the Prime Minister’s 1999 Carers Strategy, setting up a help/advice line, provision of cover in emergencies and an expert carers programme.
The revised strategy was published in June 2008. We also held a series of seminars across England in September and October 2008.
Published: 10 June 2008
Nine regional events were held in September and October 2008 to help create a common sense of purpose and foster collective responsibility to ensure that carers have the services they need in their caring role whilst being enabled to have a life outside caring.
In developing the strategy we held a major consultation process with carers asking them what they wished to see in the final strategy. In addition, four taskforces worked on proposals for inclusion in the new strategy focusing on specific areas of particular relevance to carers; employment, equalities, health and social care and income.
To support carers’ need for accessible, comprehensive and reliable information to enable them to access services and support for themselves and the person they care for, Government is establishing the information service/helpline for carers.
The service is expected to be in place in spring 2009. Government is making £2.8 million a year available to fund the service.
Under new provisions launched October 2007, £25 million was made available to local authorities in England to help them to provide cover for carers when an emergency strikes.
To support carers to undertake their vital responsibilities, Government has established Caring with Confidence. This programme will provide training to carers, empowering and enabling them. It will inform them of their rights; the services available to them; develop their advocacy skills and their ability to network with other carers to support their needs. The first training to carers took place in August 2008 and is expected to reach full capacity by June 2009. Government is making £4.7 million a year available to fund Caring with Confidence.
Information and advice for carers across Government departments.
