Agenda item

To receive the report of the Executive Director, Children & Community Children’s Services.

The Committee received the report of the Executive Director, Children & Community Services.

In response to these five Member questions:

- When might carers get an emergency card?

- What is available to support carers resident in the City when their cared-for are moved to residential care that is necessarily outside the City?

- Could the outreach services be expanded to those that work in the City and other stakeholders in the City that are also carers?

- How many carers are in the City?

- Does the City of London Corporation take responsibility for City of London carers rather than it being a shared budget in an area that includes Hackney?

The Committee noted these responses:

- Carers are to be supported in applying and accessing the card during 2025;

- Support services are available to carers whose cared-for are in residential care, though there is recognition of the difficulties of being a carer and work is ongoing to address that kind of care and support;

- The Carers’ connection group engages with City workers that are carers and any City workers can also be directed to their local areas, noting also that the budget and statutory remit is focussed on the City’s responsibility to its residents - though voluntary initiatives are an option in line with funding opportunities. Some signposting and communication options are available to raise awareness of support resources such as the Dragon Café in the City, and the Committee noted that staff would seek to initiate support options for carers that work in the City, and explore funding opportunities for that (see action point 1);

- According to census data, just under 500 people in the City self-identify as a carer, Imago figures suggest that 80–100 carers are known in the City, and 30-40 carers have received a support plan; and

- Carer support is an Adult Social Care responsibility funded from the City budget. 

A Member commented on apparent delays in sufficient carer training, including emotional support, noting also the listening ear service at City and Hackney Carers Centre that is available to City of London carers. In response to a Member question on when carer training might take place, the meeting noted that Imago, which is commissioned to deliver the City carers support services,  is just entering its delivery phase and will consider carer training as part of its offer (see action point 2). The meeting noted that because the cohort of carers in the City is quite small and their needs are varied, training has been provided directly rather than through the provision of a course that is likely to be poorly attended.  Members also noted that a national online carers’ training service is shared with Imago and with the City Carers Community.  

Members also noted that a grant bid has been submitted for a befriending service, drawing on the resources of the voluntary and community sector. 

Members commended the achievements and ambition of the City of London’s carer support, commenting also on the fact that a large number of those self-identifying as carers were not known to the City. The meeting heard that the City engages in awareness-raising around what constitutes being a carer, and that in some cases it was thought that those who self-identified as carers on the census included those with childcare responsibilities or other kinds of responsibilities.