Sue Robb of 4Children talks to Julie Laughton and Alison Britton from the Department for Education about the role of childminders in delivering the 30 hours free entitlement.
Funding for councils to support unpaid carers
£22.6 million of funding has been announced for initiatives that will improve support for unpaid carers in England.
This includes projects for breaks for carers as well as technology to make their lives easier.
The funding will be released next week through the Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF) to support successful schemes run by local authorities. This includes new ways to identify and recognise unpaid carers, digitising carers’ assessments so that they are easier to access, and setting up carers’ support services in hospitals.
Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said: "Unpaid carers are the country’s unsung heroes: they provide invaluable support to vulnerable people every day.
"It is vital they too have the support they need so they can look after their own health and wellbeing. This funding will allow local authorities to harness the full potential of technology to give carers more flexibility and help with these crucial roles."
In Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon And Wiltshire, local authorities are rolling out technology to enable remote monitoring of people with care needs at night. This is helping provide greater flexibility for unpaid carers and more independence for people with care needs.
Worcestershire is deploying video technology to support carers when people are discharged from hospital to allow remote monitoring from healthcare workers, and therefore reducing the risk of readmission.
In Lincolnshire, local authorities are developing a workshop programme of arts, heritage and nature activities for unpaid carers and people with care needs, including sessions in painting, floral art, and printing.
Medway Council and Kent County Council are in the early stages of digitising self-assessments, so unpaid carers can easily find the information, advice and guidance that they need to make their lives easier.
Kathryn Smith, chief executive at Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), said: "SCIE is excited to be delivering the ARF support programme to participating local authorities. Nearly 70% of the local projects address the needs of unpaid carers. Others are using innovation to drive greater productivity and to improve people’s care experiences. We expect the learnings from the programme to generate insights about how to scale and spread innovation within social care."
Latest News
10/12/2024 - 11:53
As part of the government’s Plan for Change, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has set out new plans to speed up the planning process by giving greater decision-making powers for planners to speed up the approval process.
10/12/2024 - 11:32
The US and UK have agreed on a partnership to help develop new fusion energy with the British company Tokamak Energy, driving the UK towards being a clean energy superpower.
10/12/2024 - 11:29
Welsh transport secretary Ken Skates has announced a new public transport model for Wales, enabling public, private, or third sector operators to big for packages of local bus services.
09/12/2024 - 10:23
To mark Small Business Saturday, the business secretary has announced that small businesses across the UK will be able to get quicker and easier he
09/12/2024 - 09:40
The government has helped to ensure Hitachi’s Newton Wycliffe site a future by protecting hundreds of jobs.
Company Focus
Kittle Group is a professional bid writing consultancy based in the UK, supporting clients to write winning bids and tenders since 2014.
Event Diary
Education Business LIVE is a carefully designed conference and exhibition bringing together education people with a passion for the promotion and development of effective school leadership, management, learning and teaching.
Supplier Profiles
Mark Roberts’ decades of experience will boost JAGGAER’s UK Public Sector strategy
Latest Features
Welcoming millions of visitors every year, Leeds is an exceptional city known as one of the top 10 conference destinations in the UK, with its independent spirit and international vision. Compact and accessible, you can walk everywhere in Leeds with all conferencing venues and hotels within easy reach.
More and more waste is beginning to be recycled correctly, both on a national and local level.
