Written question WQ86852

The Chief Social Care Officer has commissioned ADSS Cymru to undertake a rapid review of the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the provision of local authority services to unpaid carers. Interviews with local authorities and focus groups with unpaid carers are to start imminently and will run until the end of March 2023. The report will be finalised by the end of June 2023.

In our 2022-23 budget, we outlined additional resources to support mental health and well-being, including £50m in 2022-23; £20m of which has been allocated to support health boards to improve service provision. Unpaid carers are able to benefit from this investment.

Each health board has clear and consistent information to help people access the most appropriate mental health support for their needs in their areas. We have strengthened tier 0/1 support, which provides a range of non-clinical support that does not require a formal referral.

Unpaid carers consistently state that not being able to take a break from caring has a negative impact on their mental health and well-being. We are therefore investing £9m over three years to set up a short breaks scheme. Carers Trust Wales has been appointed as the national coordinating body and will work with Regional Partnership Boards and the third sector to develop locally-based projects that will provide unpaid carers with a choice of a short breaks tailored to meet their individual need.

The Carers Support Fund was set up in 2020 to support unpaid carers with the financial impact of the pandemic. This included support to buy essential items, such as food, household and electronic items or access to counselling, financial advice, well-being and peer support.

Its aim was to reduce financial hardship and improve mental wellbeing, while also linking more unpaid carers to ongoing support.

Since its launch, it has benefitted more than 10,000 unpaid carers. In 2021-22, 33% of beneficiaries were previously unknown to services. In some areas this figure was as high as 70%. More unpaid carers are accessing preventative support to tackle social isolation and improve mental well-being. Where appropriate, unpaid carers can also be signposted to statutory services.

On Carers Rights Day, I confirmed £4.5m to continue the fund over three years. More information is available at Carers Support Fund Wales Programme - Carers Trust