Current services for unpaid carers
Young carers:
The Council currently commission a ‘Young Carers Project’ to assist the local authority in identifying and providing information and support to young carers, and complete statutory ‘Young Carers Needs Assessments’ on behalf of the Council through a delegated responsibility under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989. The service maintains regular contact with 400 young carers on a yearly basis.
Adult carers:
A range of carers support is commissioned through the third sector through both contract and grant arrangements to support carers in the city. This support includes the delivery of statutory carers assessments under delegated responsibility (contracted); Carers Response Emergency Support Service (CRESS) providing free emergency support for an individual where a carer is incapacitated or to cover for one-off significant events; Carers Short Breaks service; information, advice and support, including group and emotional support; Primary Care Support working alongside GPs to ensure carer friendly practice (all grant funded). A further range of support is also available to carers via the wider third sector and information on the Carers' support webpages. Further expansion of our support offer is planned through use of the Accelerating Reform Fund.
Following a period of engagement with local carers we published our refreshed Coventry Carers Action Plan 2024/26 which outlines our 3 target areas to improve carer support. These priority areas are:
- Empower carers with flexible respite options, ensuring they can take breaks.
- Deliver the right support, at the right time, and in the right place.
- Maximise the reach of carers assessments to benefit more carers.
The Council will be refreshing and re-commissioning our carers support offer during 2024 to ensure we are meeting the holistic needs of unpaid carers in the city. We will also be refreshing our carers respite and assistive technologies offer in line with workstreams and timelines noted in the Carers Action Plan 2024/26.