Carers
Carers
Our calls to action
With these calls we hope to inspire the public and politicians to support and drive forward the changes we need to transform adult social care.
There are more than 4.5 million informal, unpaid carers in England.
Most of these are women. And most have to provide care for a family member, friend or neighbour out of necessity, because adequate support is not available to them. ADASS wants unpaid care to be truly voluntary. If and when people decide it’s the right option for them to provide substantial care to family member, friend or neighbour, this must be recognised and rewarded properly with, again, financial, practical and emotional support.
Short-term: More support on things that matter to carers
Carers have sufficient support and care so they are not overwhelmed. There is more funding for short breaks, legal advice and advocacy, and other support which helps them improve their wellbeing. We’re responding to what carers need, as set out in the Care Act.
As more carers are identified, this support reaches more people – and advice and guidance is personalised.
Medium-term: A simpler system, set up to help carers
Remove key barriers that prevent carers from providing support, including improving Carers Allowance to a level more like Employment Support Allowance. And implementing a straightforward, co-designed system that provides easy access to information and advice and supports them at every stage of their
caring journey.
Long-term: A new deal for carers so they can all live well, work and care
Implementation of a fully-funded plan for carers.
Meaning that carers have access to the support they need to care for their relative or friend, and the choices and support to live the life they want to lead.
That means paid leave and flexibility at work, support to enable carers to enter or rejoin the workforce if they so choose, financial support when they need it, support for their health and wellbeing, and access to opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible including education.