Agenda item

The meeting received a report and presentation on the development and progress in the implementation of the Carers’ Strategy 2017-20.  This highlighted the work with carers to co-produce the Strategy, based on their experiences, and identify the gaps in provision to take the Strategy forward.  The Strategy was built around a vision for carers who were informed, empowered and individually resilient, and could be supported to provide good quality care.  The Strategy sought the support of all agencies and partners to create a carer friendly Barnsley. 

The meeting discussed the importance of support from carers to social care provision, and the importance of taking action to maximise its impact.  It was noted that most carers’ assessments were undertaken alongside those of the service users, rather than by way of a separate carers’ assessment, and the need for further data to confirm this was noted.  Whilst the concept of making Barnsley “carer friendly” was supported, the need for a more holistic approach with other initiatives, such as dementia friends, was important.

The meeting discussed the importance of understanding best practice in relation to support for carers, not necessarily taking affordability into account initially, and giving consideration to how any gaps were filled.

RESOLVED:-

(i)        that the progress and development of the new Carers’ Strategy 2017-20 be noted, particularly in relation to the wider contribution it makes to health and wellbeing priorities; and

(ii)       that the importance of understanding best practice, and how progress might be made towards this, be agreed and each agency seek to examine how they might contribute to the implementation of the Strategy.