Provision of an Adults Unpaid Carers Support Service in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire County Council and the Carers Partnership Board define a carer as "someone of any age who provides support to or looks after a family member, partner, or friend who needs help/assistance due to frailty, physical or mental illness, addiction, or a disability and cannot cope without this support. This also includes someone who receives a Carer's Allowance and/or cares for someone who receives an Attendance Allowance. However, it does not include someone paid to provide care or volunteer."

This Service shall support adult carers who are 18 years and older.

One Gloucestershire recognises the importance of supporting carers and their role within the ICS. Without carers, the demand for health and social care Services would substantially increase.

The commissioned Adult Carers Service shall:

• Actively reach out to those in caring situations and encourage carers to register with the support Service
• Support carers and professionals to achieve the outcomes outlined in the Carers Partnership Board Action Plan (see figure 1)
• Provide personalised, flexible, adaptive, and creative ways of meeting carers' needs
• Listen to carers, actively encourage feedback and where appropriate act on this feedback
• Offer the best value for money, whilst meeting statutory requirements
• Work with carers and stakeholders to meet outcomes.