Agenda item

To note and comment on the final draft of the Sandwell Joint Carers Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2026.

Further to Minute No. 17/21 (of the meeting held on 30 June 2021) and Minute No. 24/21 (of the meeting held on 22 September 2021), the final draft of the Sandwell Joint Carers Strategy and Action Plan 2022-26 was presented to the Board.

Feedback received at Health and Wellbeing Board meetings in June and September 2021 had been incorporated, as well as feedback from various engagement exercises with carers, carer organisations, and partners.

The engagement with carer support organisations included collating personal ‘I Care Statements’ from carers themselves, affording the opportunity for carers to be directly involved in the co-production of the Strategy.

The Strategy would now be submitted for endorsement through partners’ respective governance channels before being presented to the Board for approval in June 2022.

The Board heard from a young adult carer, a representative of Sandwell Cope (an organisation supporting carers) and a parent carer, on their experiences.  The Board noted the follow key points from their presentations:-

·      Young carers in Sandwell were not having their needs assessed, as required by the Children and Families Act 2014.

·      There was estimated to be 624 young carers in Sandwell.

·      Young carers required support to ensure that they were able to complete their education and access further education and training opportunities to ensure that they were not disadvantaged.

·      More integration was needed between the local authority and charities supporting young carers.

·      There was a lack of respite opportunities for parent carers.

·      Sandwell Cope was a voluntary support group for carers established by carers, providing training for carers on such matters as learning disabilities, mindfulness, relaxation etc.

·      During the pandemic period there had been little to no respite for parent carers as children were not able to physically attend school.

·      The pandemic had been very disruptive for children with learning disabilities and their families due to loss of/changes to routines.

·      Parent carers needed more support and opportunities to go to work.

·      It was frustrating for carers when having to explain their situation over and over to the different professionals they came into contact with.

Sandwell Parent Carers estimated that there had been a 91% increase in parent carers during the pandemic.  It was also estimated that the intensity of the care provided had increased.  It was noted that in some communities people did not identify as carers though, due to cultural norms. 

The Director of Public Health undertook to collate data on young and parent carers in Sandwell and the increase in both numbers and need during the pandemic, to map out those needs. 

Social isolation was discussed as a key theme for all carers and rebuilding social connections was the number one priority post-pandemic.  The Director of Public Health reported that Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) had been given funding to distribute to the voluntary and community sector to address this.   She also undertook to discuss the option of a joint ring-fence fund with the Director of Children and Education to further support carer’s groups.

The Director of Integration at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Hospitals Trust expressed gratitude for the hidden workforce of carers who were propping formal services.  He reported that the Trust had recognised the frustration that carers experienced in having to re-tell their story over and over and in response was developing a shared health and care record. He undertook to meet with carers groups and individual carers to further discuss their experiences, concerns and needs and how to take the conversation forward. 

The Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and their openness in sharing their experiences.  She undertook to write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to raise the issues discussed.