Decision details

Members received a report which sought approval to proceed with the re-design and recommission of the Cheshire East Adult Carers Service.

Members were updated that the service was part of Cheshire East’s statutory responsibilities and enabled it to provide information and support to carers. It was noted that, in line with the transformation programme, Prevent, Reduce, Enable, the council wanted to transform the way in which it supported unpaid carers in Cheshire East to ensure that they could support carers to continue their role for as long as possible, and to be as well as possible during that time.  It was noted that it was important to utilise domestic homicide data, and to that the health and social care network would struggle if it was not for the informal carers. It was also noted that it was important to ensure that the transition from child from adult carer support was improved.

It was noted that the current arrangements would come to an end on the 31 December 2026, and a further report would be brought back to the Adults and Health Committee in Spring 2026 to seek permission to proceed with the proposed model. It was noted that all delivery models would be looked in to, with the aim for the new contract to commence in January 2027. It was noted that alongside this work, Cheshire East were seeking to refresh its All-Age Carers Strategy which would run until the end of 2025. The service would be 100% funded via the Better Care Fund.

Members were updated that the current provider had almost 8000 adults carers registered with them, but a total of 21,338 had been referred to them, and the consultation would aim to seek responses from all who had given permission to be contacted, as well as consultation with residents and as wider variety of groups as possible, and would work with the existing provider to contact those needed. Members were updated that officers were working closely with colleagues in the Children and Families Committee to help determine what a new service should look like, and to ensure unity between the two services. Close collaboration with NHS and other services was key to ensure that carers who were struggling could be signposted towards help.

It was noted that some users only engage with the service for one off advice and guidance and that the survey had recorded that a number of respondents recorded negative responses, such as feelings of isolation, loneliness, self-neglect and feelings of having no control over their daily life, which needed to be improved.

It was noted that in terms of the council’s upcoming governance changes, the team had developed an extensive co-production approach and would keep members briefed.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the Adults and Health Committee:

1. Approve the commencement of work to re-design and identify the most appropriate approach to recommission the Carers Service.