Carers strategy consultation

This consultation has now closed. Read about the outcomes on on the project's 'You said, we did' page.

Consultation on The All-Age Unpaid Carers Strategy for Oxfordshire 2023-2026

We want to hear what you think about the draft All-Age Unpaid Carers Strategy for Oxfordshire 2023-2026.

The draft strategy and the action plan have been shaped by adult and young carers, who shared their stories and concerns with us and agreed goals and outcomes for the strategy.

Services for carers were evaluated to understand whether they supported carers’ three main priorities, which showed that more work is needed, particularly to avoid carers having to constantly retell their stories.

We want to hear your views on:

• the strategy’s vision for carers in Oxfordshire;
• the three proposed priorities and activities planned for each priority; and
• the commitments we and our partners in health, social care, education, and voluntary organisations will make.

Background

An unpaid carer is anybody who (without being paid) takes care of someone who can’t manage on their own due to illness, disability, mental health issues, or addiction. Both adults and young people can be carers, and they may provide care for either a friend or a family member.

The Local Authority is responsible for evaluating carers’ needs, offering support to address their needs, and providing information and guidance to support their wellbeing. We do this in partnership with our partners, the NHS and schools (for young carers) to ensure we support carers in the best way possible depending on their needs, however we become aware of their needs.

Oxfordshire County Council’s previous Carers Strategy was published in 2017. Since then, everyone (including unpaid carers) has been significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising cost of living. This draft of the new All-Age Unpaid Carers Strategy for the whole of Oxfordshire, including all NHS services, has been co-produced with over 1,600 carers to reflect their experiences and needs. Other organisations and groups involved include:

• Carers Oxfordshire
• Be Free Young Carers
• Oxfordshire Parent Carer Forum
• Oxfordshire Family Support Network
• Rethink Mental Illness
• Age UK Oxfordshire
• Dementia Oxfordshire
• Oxford Health
• Oxford University Hospitals
• Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board
• Oxford City Primary Care Networks Social Prescribers

Have your say

Please read the draft strategy (available under ‘Consultation documents’) which includes our action plan and fill in our online survey by clicking the ‘TAKE SURVEY’ button below. The survey will close on Monday 3 July 2023.

Your responses to this consultation will help us to understand if the strategy needs to change before it is finalised later this year.