Welsh Government launches consultation on unpaid carers strategy
The Welsh Government has launched a public consultation on a new draft National Strategy for Unpaid Carers, setting out its ambition for Wales to become a ‘Carer Aware’ nation.
The consultation, which opened on Monday 2 February, is asking people across Wales to help shape how unpaid carers are recognised earlier and treated as partners in planning care for the people they support.
According to the Welsh Government, the draft strategy has been developed with hundreds of carers and their representatives from across Wales.
It identifies eight key priorities, including improving recognition of carers, ensuring young carers are not given excessive responsibilities, better access to respite care, and stronger wellbeing support.
The strategy aims to ensure carers of all ages and backgrounds, including disabled carers, can access clear and appropriate information in their local area when they need it.
It also focuses on identifying carers earlier, so they can receive advice and support from the start of their caring role, and on giving carers a stronger voice in decisions about the people they look after.
The availability of suitable alternative care arrangements and short breaks is highlighted as crucial to supporting carers’ health and wellbeing.
Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden, said:
“Too often, unpaid carers go unrecognised – even by themselves. They’re simply ‘looking after mum’ or ‘helping out a friend’, but caring can have a profound impact on people’s finances, careers, health and wellbeing.
“We want Wales to be a place where carers are identified early, where they know their rights, and where they’re treated as partners for the person they care for.
“This consultation is important in shaping a strategy which takes into full account how carers feel and how they’re supported. I’d encourage everyone with an interest to provide their views during the consultation phase.”
The consultation is open now and closes on 13 April. Further details are available on the Welsh Government website.
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