Carer Support Wiltshire and Observer backed John’s Campaign wins support from the NHS.
A significant milestone has been reached by John’s Campaign, the rapidly growing project to break down institutionalised barriers in the NHS and allow carers of people with dementia who are admitted to hospital to be able to stay with them or visit them at any time. Hospitals across the UK are now set to change their policies to allow better access for carers
You can read the full story in the Observer here.
In a recent study by Carer Support Wiltshire, half of all carers of a working age would like to increase the amount they work. 64% of those wanting to increase the amount they work were currently not taking steps to improve their situation, mainly because of their current emotional state, but also partly because of a lack of knowledge.
Two thirds of those wanting to increase the amount they work cited their caring role as the main barrier to employment. The lack of access to affordable care (for adults and children, including for children in the family without long term conditions) was commented on by many, and it is clear that support in how to find and access care, including funding for care, needs to be part of the Pathways To Work service which Carer Support Wiltshire is seeking to develop.
In terms of other areas of support needed by carers wishing to work more, this included:
This last area of support might also be useful to some carers who want to reduce the amount they work and who currently run their own business, where taking on an employee is seen as a barrier.
About 38% of carers of working age surveyed are currently not engaging in any paid work. A significant minority of carers, 16% of those responding, would like to reduce the amount they work, to improve their work life balance or devote more time to caring. Whilst not being able to do without the money is the main barrier for many in this situation, a quarter also feel that their job would be at risk if they requested a reduction in hours. This reality further illustrates the need for Working For Carers, to make employers more carer aware and carer friendly in their employment policies.
To find out about Working For Carers click here.
You can see the full results of our survey here: Survey of carers of working age 201601 report
Carers Trust, the UK’s largest charity for carers today has launched a review of the Care Act to look at what difference the act has made to unpaid carers one year on.
Carers Trust will be working with former care minister Paul Burstow who will chair a commission receiving evidence from carers and carers organisations to hear their views on how well they think the act is working – what has worked well and what still needs to be improved.
The new Care Act, which came into force on 1 April 2015, gave carers rights on a par with the people they care for, which includes an entitlement to an assessment of their own needs. This includes taking into consideration the carer’s health and wellbeing, family relationships and their need to balance their home life with their education or work. If they are found to be eligible they are entitled to support funded by their local authority. In addition, all local authorities must provide advice and information and prevent carers’ needs from getting worse.
There are at more than five million unpaid carers in the England, often working around the clock to care for a friend or family member, who due to illness, disability a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.
Former Care Minister Rt Hon Prof Paul Burstow said:
“The Care Act introduced vital new rights for carers. I worked hard with the carers movement to ensure these made it onto the statute book. One year on is a good time to hear about the difference this is making to carers’ lives – the positives and the negatives.
“I am pleased to be asked by Carers Trust to chair this commission to shine a spotlight on the difference the new rights are making, as well as identifying the lessons that can help ensure carers get the support they are entitled to.”
Gail Scott-Spicer, CEO of Carers Trust, said:
“We are keen to see the difference that the Care Act has made to the millions of unpaid carers who look after family or friends day in, day out, so we want to get their views so that we can ensure they are receiving the help and support they desperately need to carry out their role.
“The review will help us to know what is being done and what else needs to be done to better support them.”
The call for evidence opens today (February 1) and will run for seven weeks until 18 March. The findings will be reviewed by a panel of experts and advisers and the details will be released in a report in summer. They want to hear from:
To take part in the call for evidence, visit here or www.carers.org/careactcarers
