In line with the Care Act 2014 Camden must ensure that any carer who may have support needs is offered a Carer’s Conversation. This must happen irrespective of any future determination of eligibility.  It is also important to establish the fullest picture of the carer’s needs and more importantly, how sustainable the current arrangements are.

Following a What Matters strength-based approach, Carer Conversations must always be appropriate and proportionate and seek to establish (but not limited to) the following:

• what matters to the carer
• the feelings and choices of the carer
• the carer’s strengths, and any possible support needs
• the impact of these needs on their wellbeing
• the practical and sustainability of the caring role
• the willingness and ability of the carer to continue and provide this support
• the possible outcomes the carer desires from daily life
• the impact of their caring responsibilities on their ability to work, access education, training or recreation etc.
• whether support (requiring funds or not) could help achieve any of these outcomes
• if their support network and the wider community can contribute towards meeting any of the outcomes the carer would like to achieve
• if the carer would benefit from preventative support or information and advice.

As part of a Camden-wide commitment to recognise and support carers better, a Carers Action Plan has been co-produced with carers, the voluntary and community sector (VCS), and health and social care partners.

The Carers Action Plan sets out how all services will work together to meet the needs of carers. It is a live document detailing the priority actions that matter to carers.

Visit the Carers Action Plan website for further details.