Unpaid Carers Programme
We are committed to continue to support unpaid carers across West Yorkshire with an aspiration to be a region where carers are recognised, given the support they need to both manage their caring role and remain in work and education.
According to the 2021 Census there are approximately 4.7 million unpaid carers in England with an estimated 193,885 unpaid carers living in West Yorkshire, including children and young people caring for parents with long-term health conditions, however, Carers Uk 'State of Caring 2023' report estimates the number of unpaid carers could be as high as 10.6 million across the whole of the UK
It is estimated that 1 in 5 adults are unpaid carers. Within the NHS workforce, the NHS Staf Survey suggests that 1 in 3 people are balancing work with additional caring responsibilities for a family member or friend who has a disability, illness (physical or mental), or who may need support in later life due to frailty, and who can not manage without that care or support.
The West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board the unpaid carers programme has continued to engage with our communities, and ensure appropriate support is available to meet the diverse and ever-changing needs of the communities we serve.
The main ambitions for our unpaid carers programme focus around the following themes:
- Increasing awareness and support for young carers.
- Improving the lives of working carers.
- Better recognition and support in primary and community care.
- Working with our hospitals.
- Recognising carers as experts in care.
- Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of carers.
We aspire to be a place where carers are recognised and given the support they need to both manage their caring role and remain in work and education, no matter where they live in West Yorkshire.
On top of this we recognise there is an increased number of vulnerable and high risk carers, including carers with health conditions, carers over 70, carers from ethnically diverse communities, and young carers.
Many carers are ‘hidden’ and provide the majority of care without formal support. Being a carer can be stressful and have a major impact on health, relationships, education and employment. With this in mind we are working with NHS England to ensure that identifying carers and supporting them is further embedded within our work. This includes developing ways to support the existing and future workforce who balance caring responsibilities, signposting and identifying service standards for all organisations – not just in the public sector.
Many of the West Yorkshire carers resources and projects have been shared nationally including NHS England, Carers UK and Carers Trust.