Written question WQ83092

We recognise that the pandemic increased pressure on unpaid carers who may have already been struggling to cope with their caring role. In 2021 – 22, we have allocated £3 million to increase and diversify respite services for unpaid carers across Wales. Initially, local authorities have used the funding to meet the spike in demand for respite as lockdown restrictions were eased. As the year progresses, we are encouraging local authorities to work across sectors to develop more innovative approaches, such as a short breaks fund.

To guide this work and identify good practice that has the potential to be replicated across Wales, we commissioned Carers Trust Wales and academics at Swansea and Bangor universities to draft a ‘Roadmap to Respite’ report, which will be published later this month. Through the development of person centred approaches that cater to individual need, all unpaid carers will be supported to benefit from this funding, including the families of children with life limiting conditions, young carers and older carers who may be living with their own health condition.

In 2020-21, we allocated £360,000 to the Family Fund to provide grants to support the families of disabled children and £75,000 to Whizz-Kidz to increase life satisfaction and happiness of young wheelchair users through sports and programmes in health and education settings.

We also allocate over £800k per annum to specialist paediatric palliative care services across Wales. Much of this funding supports Welsh children’s hospices and children with life limiting conditions. In addition, a further £2.3m has been allocated to support Welsh children’s hospices since the start of the pandemic to protect their core service provision.

Reviewing hospice funding is a key Programme for Government commitment and work led by the End of Life Care Board is already underway to review existing arrangements for voluntary hospices and make recommendations for future funding. The review will take approximately 3-4 months to complete and will include consideration of key services such as respite care.