Report of the Standing Commission on Carers 2007 to 2009
Last autumn, Ofsted looked at provision for young carers in eight local authorities. The report on the survey findings Supporting young carers - identifying, assessing and meeting the needs of young carers and their families, which was published in June 2009, indicated that:
1
Councils were identifying fewer young carers than might be expected –
identification of young carers in families with substance misuse and mental
health problems was a particular challenge.
2
Services working with ill or disabled parents (and not identifying young carers)
were consistently failing to take account of their needs and views during
assessments.
3
Resources for local young carers’ projects were not always secure and
sustainable.
4
At a strategic level, action to deliver better integrated, whole-family working
across adult and children’s services was still work in progress.
5
Ofsted’s findings about the challenges and gaps in support are much in line
with those set out in the Carers Strategy, and the Commission recognises that
the Government has an extensive range of actions underway to address them.
6
Ofsted’s evidence, however, is helpful in reinforcing the messages in the strategy
on the need for ongoing service development to ensure all families with young
carers receive the support they need.
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source - A44, p15 here the numbers above have been added to aid referencing
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