Help shape future support for carers

Crossroads Care is preparing its response to the government’s consultation on the Carers Strategy, and is looking for carers who want to help shape its submission.

Paul Burstow MP, Minister for Care Services, has announced that the government is looking to ‘refresh’ the Carers Strategy, looking at which areas of support it should prioritise between 2011 and 2015.

The consultation will look at the best way to deliver the five goals for carers highlighted in the existing Carers Strategy, which was launched in 2008.

The overarching vision of the Carers Strategy is that by 2018:

Carers will be universally recognised and valued as being fundamental to strong families and stable communities. Support will be tailored to meet individuals’ needs, enabling carers to maintain a balance between their caring responsibilities and a life outside caring, while enabling the person they support to be a full and equal citizen.

There’s a short deadline for the consultation – 20 September 2010 – so that the Department of Health can use the feedback to inform the Spending Review, which will set out spending plans for 2011-15.

Crossroads Care is currently planning its response and would love to include the voice of carers within it. So if you are a carer and want to get your views across, please email ian.manley@crossroads.org.uk for more information on how to get involved.