Local government reorganisation, devolution and local carer support

Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution are being billed as the biggest changes to the machinery of local government in a generation.

But what will this mean for unpaid carers and the services that support them?

• What will the introduction of unitary authorities mean for provision of social care - adult's and children's, as well as SEND support - particularly for areas like Kent which could go from one county council to as many as seven unitary authorities?
• With many carer support services commissioned well beyond the introduction of unitary councils, and with it, the abolition of authorities who they are currently commissioned by - what will happen to these contracts/services? And for support services commissioned by county councils - what could this mean for procurement, specifications and the current 'postcode lottery' of provision?
• With strategic authorities set to have a "health equality" duty and a key role to play in increasing employment rates - how do we ensure that unpaid carers and the services who support them are central to their plans?

Come and join Carers Trust as we discuss all of these issues and more. We will also hear from areas who have already begun to work across local authority boundaries or are increasing support for carers through strategic authorities, including:

• Cheshire and Merseyside Change and Integration Programme sharing their work across 9 local authorities to improve assessments and support for parent carers.
• Newcastle Carers talking about how the North East Combined Authority is working with local carer services across the region to improve support for carers across a range of topics from education to poverty

Whether you work directly with unpaid carers, or if you just share an interest in social care and other related topics - come and join in this discussion.