Health & Social Care

Valuing and Supporting Carers - August 2008

The work and pensions committee has published its fourth report on valuing and supporting carers. The report includes a recommendation to replace Carer’s Allowance with a two-tiered benefit for carers:

  • an income replacement benefit, and
  • a caring costs payment to help carers with the additional costs of caring.

Read the Valuing and supporting carers report.

End of Life Care Strategy

The End of Life Care Strategy, published by the Department of Health in July 2008, includes information about supporting families and carers. The strategy identifies three key principles with regard to carers:

  1. Carers are a central part of the team, and should be treated as ‘co-workers’.
  2. Carers have their own needs and, if they provide substantial care on a regular basis, they are entitled to an assessment by their local authority.
  3. Carers should be able to access services, regardless of the condition of the person they are caring for.

Download a summary of the key points with regard to supporting families and carers.

Download the full End of Life Care Strategy.

National Strategy for Carers

The National Strategy for Carers was announced by the Government on 10 June 2008. The strategy sets out a ten year vision:

  • Carers will be respected as expert care partners and will have access to support .
  • Carers will be able to have a life of their own alongside their caring role.
  • Carers will be supported so they are not forced into financial hardship.
  • Carers will be supported to stay mentally and physically well and treated with dignity.
  • Children and young people will be protected from inappropriate caring and will have the support they need.

The Department of Health is organising regional events during September and October 2008 called Supporting carers: everyone's responsibility.

Download the National Strategy for Carers.

Download Help the Hospices' briefing on the National Strategy for Carers.

View Help the Hospices' response to the Strategy.

Caring with Confidence

Caring with confidence is the new name for the Expert Carers Programme. The programme, funded by the Department of Health, will deliver remote and face-to-face training to carers. Carers of people nearing the end of life are a key target group of the programme.

For further information, please read the frequently asked questions.

If you are interested in becoming a Caring with Confidence training provider, or you would like to help trial or attend Caring with Confidence training, email cwc.info@eppcic.co.uk

New Deal for Carers

The Department of Health launched the £33 million New Deal for Carers on 21 February 2007. This includes

  • £25 million towards short-term respite care for carers to cover emergency situations.
  • £3 million towards a national helpline for carers.
  • £5 million for an 'Expert Carers Programme', which will provide training to carers.
  • A review of the 1999 national carers strategy.

The New Deal for Carers was first outline in the Our health, our care, our say White Paper, published on 30 January 2006. The White Paper highlights that support for people who care for someone who is dying is especially important.

View the Department of Health's press release.

DoH's Independence, Wellbeing and Choice: July 2005

Help the Hospices has responded to the Department of Health's Independence , Wellbeing and Choice: Our Vision for the Future of Social Care for Adults Green Paper. The response focuses on the development of preventative services, self-assessment and direct payments.