Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 99
The Government should create a separate taskforce for housing for working age disabled adults alongside...
Recommendation
The Government should create a separate taskforce for housing for working age disabled adults alongside the taskforce for housing for older people. Both taskforces should be accountable to both DLUHC and DHSC and should report to the Senior Responsible Officer for the People at the Heart of Care programme. Their terms of reference should be developed with input from the Local Government Association and housing stakeholders and should set out the taskforces’ interconnection with housing proposals in People at the Heart of Care.
Government Response Summary
The government points to their 10-year white paper reform vision and states that they will invest up to an additional £25 million for unpaid carers. They are also taking steps towards implementing a new survey of unpaid carers.
Paragraph Reference:
99
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Our 10-year white paper reform vision puts people at the centre of adult social care and aims to make sure that those who draw on care and support as well as unpaid carers have the choice, control and support they need to live independent lives; can access outstanding quality and tailored care and support; and find adult social care fair and accessible. We recognise the vital role that unpaid carers play in our communities, and we all owe them a debt of gratitude. The Care Act 2014 requires local authorities to deliver a wide range of sustainable high-quality care and support services, including support for unpaid carers. Local authorities are required to undertake a Carer’s Assessment for any unpaid carer who appears to have a need for support and to meet their eligible needs on request from the carer. Since 2015, the Better Care Fund (BCF) has enabled local NHS services and local government to jointly invest in a range of preventative services, including supporting unpaid carers. In 2022–23, £291.7 million of BCF funding has been earmarked to provide short breaks and respite services for carers, as well as additional advice and support for carers. The 2023–25 BCF Policy Framework and Planning Requirements will be published in spring 2023, and we will look to improve the clarity and transparency of spend on unpaid carers through BCF reporting requirements and activity data. As our Next Steps to Put People at the Heart of Care plan confirmed, we will also be investing up to an additional £25 million for unpaid carers, in line with the funding commitment in the white paper. Further detail will be set out in due course. In addition, 32 Government response as outlined in the plan, we are taking steps towards implementing a new survey of unpaid carers which would capture the data and evidence needed to better understand the different circumstances, experiences and needs of unpaid carers in England. Conclusion 31 – carers assessments Conclusion 31 - We recognise that it is not always easy to engage with people who do not identify as “carers”, but more must be done to ensure that carers receive the support to which they are entitled, and that the support they receive is useful to them. All carers are legally entitled to a carers assessment, but under the current arrangements it seems that only 1 in 4 has received one. This is not acceptable.