Issue - meetings

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Legal and Business Operations requesting that the Panel consider the comments made by the invited guests and use the information provided as evidence in the review.

Summary of information provided:

Unpaid carers: Who, how many and differences during COVID 19 - Emily Holzhausen OBE, Director of Policy, Carers UK

A presentation was delivered by Emily Holzhausen OBE, providing an introduction to the challenges experienced by carers in the UK.  Key points raised in the presentation included the following:

o  Unpaid carers were the largest part of the care system

o  6.5 million or 13.6 million carers? - Additional 4.5 million since COVID-19

o  Value of support: £132 billion

o  58% women, 42% men, women do more

o  Peak age, 45-54, can be any age - Most don’t call themselves carers

o  1 in 4 workers were juggling work and care and 2.6 million gave up work to care

o  Average of 2 years to be recognised as a carer

o  Carers were twice as likely to be in poor health

o  Lack of correct information and involvement at the right time has made caring harder and those who care poorer

o  Young carers - Between 170,000 and 800,000 – Young carers can experience developmental and educational challenges

o  Common goals of carers included – Being identified, valued, involved, and feeling in control

o  Opportunities to make progress included: 

§  Improved recognition – Taking advantage of the increased profile due to COVID-19

§  Developed local work strategies

§  Joint working with Health professionals

§  Supporting young carers and young adult carers

§  Carers’ learning and development

§  Go digital, offering a blended approach

§  Carer involvement

The caring landscape in Southampton – Adrian Littlemore, Senior Commissioner and Kirsten Killander, Service Development Officer, Integrated Commissioning Unit

A presentation was delivered by Adrian Littlemore and Kirsten Killander providing an overview of the landscape for carers in Southampton.  Key points raised in the presentation included the following:

o  Carers in Southampton were commissioned by the Council to undertake carers assessments and to provide information, advice and support.  The Young Carers service was subcontracted to No Limits.

o  Carers UK estimated that 1 in 8 people were providing unpaid care in the UK.  This would represent approximately 32,000 unpaid carers in Southampton.

o  In Southampton only 4,068 adult carers had been identified and 2,428 had been in contact with Carers in Southampton within the past 2 years.  The number of young carers (8-18) in contact with the Young Carers Service was 420.

o  The current Southampton Strategy for Unpaid Carers and Young Carers commenced in 2016 for four years (20162020).  The strategy was considered appropriate; however, it had not resulted in the required step change in performance.  Governance issues were identified as one of the key factors in the failure to deliver the expected improvements.

Overview of support for carers in Southampton – Linda Lawless, Service Manager, Carers in Southampton

A presentation was delivered by Linda  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3