Written question WQ85596

All unpaid carers of any age have rights under the Social Services and Wellbeing Wales Act 2014, including the right to have a carers’ needs assessment and have any eligible needs for support met, the same as a person with care and support needs. The majority of practical support for unpaid carers is provided by local authorities and unpaid carers are encouraged to make contact with their local authority for information, advice and assistance.

The Welsh Government also supports delivery of practical and financial support to unpaid carers through our grant funded programmes in partnership with the third sector and national carers’ organisations in Wales. Since the start of the Covid pandemic we have funded grant schemes specifically targeting those experiencing a deterioration in their mental and physical wellbeing, as well as increased financial pressures. This included an additional £10million of funding in 2021-22.

In March 2022, I announced funding of £29million to award a £500 financial support payment for unpaid carers who were in receipt of Carer’s Allowance on 31 March 2022. I would welcome the support of Members in raising awareness of this payment and encouraging eligible constituents to come forward. Eligible individuals have until 15 July to claim the payment from their local authority. More information about the scheme can be found here: Unpaid carer financial support scheme | GOV.WALES

I am also very keen to explore new ways to support carers who are ineligible for the £500 payment. Earlier this month, I announced £4.5million to continue the Carers Support Fund. Since its launch in 2020, the Carers Support Fund has helped over 10,000 unpaid carers with grants and vouchers to cover the cost of basic items. Applications for the Carer Support Fund will open later this year. Carers Trust Wales are managing the fund on our behalf and will have information on their website about how to apply for it when it opens. Eligibility for this fund is not linked to Carer’s Allowance or any other benefits.

Last year we provided £3m of funding to local authorities to boost their local provision of respite for unpaid carers and building on this action, in 2022-23 we are investing £9million over three years to establish an innovative short breaks scheme for unpaid carers. The new scheme will aim to increase the availability and consistency of short break options for all ages of unpaid carers in Wales. Eligibility is not linked to Carer’s Allowance but it will target unpaid carers who are on low incomes and who are struggling to cope with their caring role. We are currently in the process of appointing a third sector national managing body which will oversee the project.

Our Sustainable Social Services Third Sector grant scheme funds four innovative projects that offer practical support to unpaid carers. These are led by Age Cymru, Carers Wales, Carers Trust Wales and the All Wales Forum. Combined funding of £2.6million has been awarded to support these projects over the initial three years (2020-2023). Due to the impact of the pandemic on these projects, they have been extended to 2025.

Through this funding, Carers Wales have been able to increase their range of support services for carers via their Carer Wellbeing and Empowerment project. These include an online Well-being Hub, wellbeing support sessions and online advice videos available through their Youtube channel, as well as a Listening Support Service. More information can be found on their website: https://www.carersuk.org/wales.

In previous years, we have awarded a total of £1million to local health boards and their carer partnerships and in 2022-23 this funding, which is now managed by the Regional Partnership Boards, is being focused on projects which will aid the discharge of patients from hospital by supporting and involving unpaid carers in the discharge process.

Following on from the Integrated Care Fund, which had unpaid carers as a priority group for support, the new Health and Social Care Regional Integration Fund (RIF) is a 5 year fund to deliver a programme of change from April 2022 to March 2027. Regional Partnership Boards delivering the fund are expected to invest a minimum of 5% of the overall RIF investment into direct support for unpaid carers.

In 2022-23 we are providing funding of £186,000 to provide more direct support for young carers, in co-production with local authorities and Carers Trust Wales. The national Young Carer ID card is now available across the whole of Wales. This voluntary card scheme is a key mechanism to help young carers identify themselves to health, social care and education professionals and access the support they need. It will also contribute to our work in expanding the recognition of young carers in other settings.

Carers Wales has also produced a number of helpful guides covering a range of subjects, including financial support and carers' needs assessments. They offer a phone advice helpline on 0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm, or you can contact them by email using advice@carersuk.org.