Agenda item

Report from the Assistant Chief Executive.

Recommendations:

1. That the following recommendations from the review be received:

a)    That action plans and performance matrix be supplied as part of the next update in 6 months’ time.

b)    That a plan be developed to address the current data gap in respect of young carers who mature into adult carers, with a view to providing the best preparation possible and making this transition as seamless as possible for young carers who may continue to have caring responsibilities into adulthood.

c)    That consideration be given to how best to provide additional support to young carers seeking to access employment skills, education and training.

2. That Cabinet formally consider its response to the above recommendations by June 2022, in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

Consideration was given to the report which summarised the findings and recommendations from the 22nd October, 2021, spotlight review in respect of support for young carers. These recommendations were agreed by the Health Select Commission on 25th November, 2021, and by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on 19th January, 2022.

As part of the discussions of the Adult Carer’s Strategy at the 8th July meeting of the Health Select Commission, a spotlight review was undertaken in tandem with the Improving Lives Select Commission to examine the support available for young carers both during the pandemic and entering the recovery phase. Members met with service leads from the Council’s Early Help Service and partner organisation Barnardo’s on 22nd October, 2021. The spotlight review was undertaken by Councillors Baum-Dixon, Pitchley, Thompson, and Yasseen.

Recommendations were generated by Members and derived from discussion during the question and answer session with service leads.

Resolved:-

1.    That the following recommendations from the review be received:

a)         That action plans and performance matrix be supplied as part of the next update in 6 months’ time.

b)         That a plan be developed to address the current data gap in respect of young carers who mature into adult carers, with a view to providing the best preparation possible and making this transition as seamless as possible for young carers who may continue to have caring responsibilities into adulthood.

c)          That consideration be given to how best to provide additional support to young carers seeking to access employment skills, education and training.

2.    That Cabinet formally consider its response to the above recommendations by June 2022, in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules.