Agenda item

To consider the report.

a)    To accept the report and declare support to raise awareness of the help available to unpaid carers including the direct payments scheme. 

b)    Ask for a presentation and further information for members regarding the direct payments scheme.

The report was presented by explaining that the report was jointly between the Adults, Health and Well-being Service and the Children and Supporting Families Service as supporting unpaid carers was an important and challenging field which was relevant to both departments. It was explained that it was the unpaid carers that provided the vast majority of care and support to vulnerable, disabled and ill individuals in the community therefore there was a need to ensure that sufficient support was available for them. It was noted that 8.9% of Gwynedd's population identified themselves as unpaid carers according to the 2021 Census but that the real figure was much higher than that.

It was explained that supporting unpaid carers had been identified as one of the objectives within the 'A Caring Gwynedd' priority area in the Council's 2023-28 Plan. It was noted that the Council was eager to collaborate with their partners to develop a strong and ambitious Carers' Plan for Gwynedd, and that the priorities and the aspects that could be addressed had been divided into four themes:

1.     Identifying and valuing unpaid carers.

2.     Providing information, advice and assistance.

3.     Supporting life alongside caring.

4.     Supporting unpaid carers in education and the workplace.

Attention was drawn to 'AiDi', a new app that was developed jointly with the Isle of Anglesey County Council in order to help young carers find information and support. The app allowed young carers to get discounts at many local shops and enabled them to quickly contact school or college if they ran late because of their responsibilities. It was noted that 61 young carers had registered so far.  

It was explained that the hope was to extend the support that is currently available for unpaid carers with the intention of ensuring fair and timely support and recognition for them.

During the discussion, the following observations were noted:-

-        Thanks were expressed for the report and for all the work done by the team to support unpaid carers.

-        Praise was given to all the unpaid carers' hard work across Gwynedd. Attention was drawn towards the importance of the work done by them as it directly contributes towards reducing the pressure in other fields.

-        Interest was expressed in having more information on direct payments in order for the Councillors to become aware of how the system worked.

o   In response, it was noted that direct payments were seen as a complex matter in the past but there was so much potential to use them to pay for a wide range of different things.

o   It was explained that there was uncertainty in terms of how to present the matter among the staff therefore there was a need to work on increasing their confidence and awareness.

o   Bearing this in mind, it was agreed that it would be beneficial for the Councillors to receive further information about direct payments. It was added that increasing the awareness of the support available for unpaid carers was key and the members were encouraged to spread the message.

o   It was suggested that the most suitable way of providing the information to the Councillors was a presentation and it was proposed that it would be helpful for it to be provided face to face.

-        It was noted that there was a need to work on raising awareness and build the confidence of the unpaid carers so that they became aware of the support available for them.

-        The AiDi app was welcomed noting that it was a huge step forward in the context of supporting young people and it was noted that it should be considered whether there was room to extend the provision for adults.

-        Attention was drawn to a book that had been developed by the department in order to provide information about the support and assistance available for unpaid carers in Gwynedd.  It was confirmed that the book was nearly ready and would be available in libraries, on-line and sent to all staff of the department.

RESOLVED

a)     To accept the report and declare support to raise awareness of the help available to unpaid carers including the direct payments scheme.

b)     Ask for a presentation and further information for members regarding the direct payments scheme.