Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Director of People

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of People, which sought approval of the Coventry Carers’ Strategy for the period 2016-2019.

The report indicated that carer was someone who provided unpaid care for a family member or friend, who due to illness, disability, a mental health condition or an addiction, can’t cope without support.  The 2011 census identified 32,101 carers within Coventry.  Of these, 3,100 were young carers or young adult carers under the age of 25 with approximately 28% of these under 16 years of age.  Approximately 25% of carers in Coventry said they were caring for 50 plus hours per week, which was in line with the national average.  It was estimated that the economic value of the contribution made by carers was approximately £132bn a year nationally and £680m in Coventry.

The Strategy was Coventry’s third and applied to carer of all ages and built upon the progress and achievements already made, in addition to responding to the requirements set out in the National Carers’ Strategy Second Action Plan 2014-16.

The Cabinet noted that the Strategy had been developed through a multi-agency approach, including health partners and voluntary sector organisations that play a key role in supporting carers.  Carers and other stakeholders had also been engaged to ensure that the priorities contained within the Strategy reflect what was important to them and support the four priorities set out in the National Carers’ Strategy of identification and recognition; realising and releasing potential; a life alongside caring’ and supporting carers to stay healthy.

For each of the priorities, a number of improvement areas were identified based on local carers’ feedback and evidence of what support carers found most effective. These improvement areas were set out in Appendix A of the report submitted and would be accompanied by annual implementation plans which would clarify how activity across a range of organisations would support and contribute towards these improvement areas.

In addition, the Strategy supported the Coventry Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2016-19 objectives of working together as a Marmot City: reducint health and wellbeing inequalities; improving the health and wellbeing of individuals with multiple complex needs; developing an integrated health and care system that provides the right help and support to enable people to live their lives well.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet approve the Coventry Carers’ Strategy 2016-2019.