This presentation was part of a discussion at Sheffield's Health and Wellbeing Board on 25 June 2015. To get involved in this work in Sheffield, email carers@sheffield.gov.uk. Read the papers from the Board meeting: http://sheffielddemocracy.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=5993.

1. Carers Strategy
Approach and Initial Findings
Emma Dickinson

2. Who is a Carer?
A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend
or family member who due to illness, disability, a
mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope
without their support.
Carers Trust
There were 57,373 people (children and adults)
reported in the census in Sheffield as providing
unpaid care

3. Key Facts4,500 children
are caring
1 in 7 Adults are Carers
53,000 people in Sheffield
42% men 58% women
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
24 - 49 50 - 64 65+
Carers – Age Profile
61%
13%
25%
1-19 19-49 50+
Hours of care provided

4. Economic savings of carers
• Unpaid carers are thought to achieve
significant savings in replacement care costs
• Most recent Dept Health assessment
suggests (as a ratio) that each pound spent
(well) on supporting carers would save
councils £1.47 on replacement care costs…
• … and benefit the wider health system by
£7.88

5. Carers Strategy – emerging messages
• The need for good information and advice at
diagnosis and discharge – carers population
is dynamic
• Advocacy and ‘navigator role’ required to
support choices / options and the health and
social care system
• GPs to recognise carers and be more flexible
• Help to have a social life and a break
• Support to stay in work

6. Questions for the Board
1. Does the Board recognise the emerging
messages?
2. When does the Board want to hear back
about the work to improve support for
carers?