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This section is aimed at health and social care professionals in the statutory and independent sectors who work with carers. It contains information on Government guidance and regulations affecting carers, details of the current carers grant and other relevant information on carers’ policy.
The Standing Commission on Carers has published its first annual report, ‘Carers at the heart of 21st century families and communities – work in progress’
Carers Direct provides information advice and support for carers with a comprehensive online resource including: guidance on the different stages of caring, information for claiming benefits, advice for young carers, contact details for local authorities and support groups, news articles, and case studies with videos. In April, a telephone advice line will launch to complement the website.
Carers looking after someone, or people considering becoming a carer, will find information at:
Updated: 13 August 2009
In the Carers' Strategy we recognised that supporting carers is everybody's business. Central Government therefore committed to setting up demonstrator sites for carers to undertake the following:
Published: 10 June 2008
Sets out the Government's short-term agenda and long-term vision for the future care and support of carers
The Government introduced the Carers' Grant in 1999 to help councils to provide breaks and services for carers in England.
The Department has supported legislation which has given carers new and improved rights.
An opportunity for information sharing and a way for councils to adopt new approaches to supporting carers.
Booklet for carers about dementia, caring for someone with dementia and the help available.
The Standing Commission on Carers provides independent expert advice to Government on the development and delivery of the national strategy Carers at the heart of 21st century families and communities. It was established by the Prime Minister in 2007 and gives carers a voice at the heart of developing Government strategy. The Commission plays a key role in scrutinising progress in delivering the national Carers' Strategy and provide independent advice to Ministers on the crucial issues that affect the lives of carers and the people they support.
To support carers to undertake their vital responsibilities, Government has established Caring with Confidence. This programme will provide training to carers, empowering and enabling them. It will inform them of their rights; the services available to them; develop their advocacy skills and their ability to network with other carers to support their needs. The first training to carers took place in August 2008 and is expected to reach full capacity by June 2009. Government is making £4.7 million a year available to fund Caring with Confidence.
The NHS Information Centre provides data on support provided to carers by councils.
DH has commissioned the Centre for International Research on Care, Labour and Equalities (CIRCLE) at Leeds University to produce a set of 9 regional factsheets on carers. These factsheets include data on the number and characteristics of carers in each region as well as information about carer health and well-being.
