Agenda item

Young Carers

Decision:

That the approach taken to support Young Carers in Flintshire be endorsed.

 

Minutes:

The Director of Community Services introduced a report to update members on the range of services available in Flintshire to support Young Carers.  He provided background information and explained that the services which were needed and were commissioned on a local level did not enable the Authority at present to embark on a joint commissioning arrangement with other North Wales Local Authorities.  However, the Authority was confident that its current arrangements were delivering on the outcomes young carers required in Flintshire. 

 

The Director of Community Services introduced Mrs. J.  Evans, Service Manager, Partnership, Development and Performance, and invited her to give an overview of the definition of and responsibilities undertaken by a Young Carer.  The Service Manager gave an outline of the range of tasks carried out by Young Carers and the impact that providing a caring role at a young age may have on the person’s well-being and development in social, emotional, and educational terms.   She explained that for some young carers the experience could be positive but only if the appropriate support was in place.  She referred to the work of the Young Carers Subgroup which had responsibility for producing and implementing a multi-agency Young Carers Action Plan and gave an outline of the actions and developments planned to deliver the outcomes wanted for Young Carers in Flintshire.

 

The Chairman commented on the estimated 2500 young carers in Flintshire in 2001 as detailed in the report and asked if an update could be provided to give the current figure.  The Service Manager said she would provide this information to members of the Committee following the meeting.  The Head of Children’s Services referred to the increase in the number of 5 to 8 year olds with caring responsibilities and said there was a need to examine in detail what aspects of care young children were undertaking.  Members expressed concerns that children as young as 5 to 8 were defined as Young Carers and were carrying out caring duties.

 

Councillor H.J. McGuill asked if training was provided to help Young Carers who were living with “chaotic” lifestyles.  She also asked if funding was provided for activities for Young Carers to provide respite from their caring role and responsibilities.  In her response to the question on training the Service Manager said she would pursue how this matter could be best addressed and provide information back to the Committee.  Concerning funding for activities she commented on the commissioning of services from Barnardo’s to provide emotional support and fun and leisure activities.  She emphasised the need to ensure that support was equitable and also helped the child to move forward.  Further information on how funding was allocated would be provided after the meeting.

 

Councillor C. Hinds referred to situations where families refused to accept the help offered and asked if the Authority could intervene in such cases.  The Head of Children’s Services advised that if a refusal to engage placed a child at harm the matter would progress to a child protection S47 investigation.

 

Councillor A. Bragg asked how children of a young age were identified as Young Carers.  The Service Manager explained that a referral could be received from a number of sources and cited schools and children’s services as two examples.

 

Councillor H.J. McGuill asked what links were available to facilitate referrals from GPs.  The Service Manager referred to NEWCIS and commented on the need to ensure that GPs recognised the needs of young carers as well as adult carers.  She said she would feed back the concerns raised by Councillor Mc.Guill.

 

In response to a question from Councillor H.J. McGuill concerning sibling groups the Service Manager said that siblings would not be precluded and the whole group would be supported.  The Service Manager advised that the Young Peoples Partnership were currently exploring how best to support Young Carers.

 

The Cabinet Member for Social Services advised that  a Carers bill was currently being considered by the Welsh Government. 

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the approach taken to support Young Carers in Flintshire be endorsed.

 

Supporting documents: