Approval was sought to publically launch the Joint Havering Carers Strategy 2017 to 2019, a joint public statement with the Havering Clinical Commissioning Group, on how the Council intends to develop support for carers of Havering residents. 

The report summarised the Council’s legal responsibilities to support carers, the key priorities for Havering and the outcomes which the Joint Havering Carers Strategy sought to address.

It provided detail on the current levels of spend on supporting carers, the increasing pressures on carers and the actions the Council has started and will initiate to support carers.

Reasons for the decision:

The Strategy serves to demonstrate Havering Council and the Havering Clinical Commissioning Group’s continued commitment to carers and aims to develop and co-ordinate multi-agencies working together to support carers and ensure that carers are treated as expert partners in care.

Other options considered:

By not implementing a Joint Havering Carers Strategy, the Council would be without a written statement and action plan to proactively recognise and support carers.  For the second consecutive year, the Council has received a Better Care Fund scheme on Carers and the Voluntary Sector.  The Joint Havering Carers Strategy is a commitment within the Better Care Fund scheme action plan on carers.

Cabinet approved the Joint Carers Strategy 2017-19.