Issue - meetings

Report CS16026

The Portfolio Holder presented a report outlining a new Carers’ Strategy for the Borough which had been jointly commissioned by the Local Authority and Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group.

Since 1999, there had been a number of strategies for Bromley’s carers which had been developed in consultation with Bromley carers and other local stakeholders, including health service commissioners and providers, and which had responded to changes in local situations and national legislation including the Children and Families Act 2014 and Carers Act 2014.  In June 2015, the Local Authority and Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group commissioned a project, funded by the Better Care Fund, to engage with a broad range of local stakeholders and develop a new joint five year Carers’ Strategy which would identify priorities, establish the future direction of travel and shape the commissioning intentions.  The new Bromley Carers’ Strategy 2016-20 had recently been approved by the Clinical Executive Group of Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group, and it was requested that Members’ consider the Bromley Carers’ Strategy 2016-20 with a view to recommending approval by the Portfolio Holder for Care Services to enable work to commence on implementation of the action plan and development of a new commissioning strategy.

In considering the report, the Chairman noted that education should be emphasised within the strategy, and a Co-opted Member suggested that young carers be supported in the same way as the Bromley Virtual School to assist them in realising their potential.  The Commissioning Manager (ECHS) confirmed that a Young Carers Action Plan was being developed to ensure young carers were supported in their education. There were 940 young carers registered with Carers Bromley in Autumn 2015, and the Chairman noted that other siblings who also provided care should also be registered.

In discussion, Member noted the high number of carers across Bromley, particularly older carers, and underlined the need to identify and provide support to carers in maintaining their caring responsibilities, particularly around emotional support and respite.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to approve the draft Joint Strategy for Carers for adoption as the new Bromley Carers’ Strategy 2016-2020.