A report of the Director of Care and Health, presented by Jayne Marshall, Lead Commissioner – Community Care Market), updated Members on the current offer to carers, requested support for the establishment of a Carers Partnership Board (CAPB) and proposed a review of the Council’s Carer’s Strategy.

The report advised that Under the Care Act 2014, there is a statutory duty to identify, support and assess carers and for carers to be treated with partity of esteem alongside the vulnerable people whom they are providing care for. There is a requirement to provide support to prevent or delay the needs of the carer, and the person they acre for from increasing. It was reported that according to the Census 2011 there are 40,340 Carers in Wirral and it is expected that this figure will increase when the 2021 Census figures are released. Members were advised that the estimated economical value of the contribution made by Wirral carers is £851 million per year.

Members were informed that through the Covid-19 pandemic, the activities of the carers support have been limited due to Covid-19 restrictions and where possible support has been provided through virtual, electronic and tele communications.

The repot set out details of the Early Intervention and Prevention and Carers (Young Adults Carers)- EIAP and Carers contract and advised that in 2017, Wirral Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Public Health and NHS Wirral CCG brought together a range of separate contracts that were being delivered by a variety of voluntary, community and faith sector organisations (VCF). It was advised that the intention was for the services to be delivered through a single delivery vehicle (SDV) to improve the pathway for support for vulnerable people and carers, and to offer a seamless, joined up service. Members were informed that the contract was awarded to Wirral Health and Wellbeing CIC, the partners for the delivery of the contract are:

·  Wirral information and Resource for Equality and Diversity (Wired)

·  Age UK Wirral

·  Wirral MIND

·  Barnardo’s Wirral

·  Health Junction

The report informed that an advantage to the SDV was to develop closer working across the sector and to improve the identification of carers in Wirral. It was acknowledged that Carers can be any age, gender and the level of care they provide varies depending on the condition of the person they care for. Details of the services offered were listed within the report.

The report further detailed: shot break bed provision, Carers Partnership Board, Wirral Strategy for Carers, Carers Strategic developments locally; Wirral Council’s Working Carers Policy; Carers Emergency Contact Scheme; Carers Covid- 19 vaccinations; PPE for Carers; Improved identification of carers; digital resource for carers; unpaid carers project; carers grant review and Carers Policy network

In response to a question by a Member in relation to dementia carers, it was advised that there are courses and helplines available to help carers who care for individuals with dementia.

Resolved – That

(1)  the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee support the development of a new Carers Strategy for Wirral for 2022 and to receive a further report back to a future committee; and

(2)  the Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee support the relaunch of a Carers Advisory Partnership Board to deliver the carers agenda subject to a review of the Terms of Reference.