Issue - meetings

Cabinet approval was sought for the new Solihull Carers’ Strategy 2022-2027.

Members were advised that the new place-based strategy for the Solihull area, was to be jointly approved by Solihull Council and the Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board. It would not be considered an approved strategy until both organisations had formally approved it. The new strategy had been developed with carers of all ages, alongside health and voluntary sector partners.

The aim was to set out clearly and concisely the current position of carers in Solihull, the valuable contribution they make to care and support in the borough, and the priorities for development of support services for them over the next 5 years.

An outline delivery plan was included, to be developed into a detailed delivery plan for each year after approval of the strategy. This would include specific outcomes and delivery timelines as well as lead officers for each action. The delivery plan would remain a live document to take account of new requirements, such as the impact of pending reforms for adult social care and health, and emerging data from the 2021 census and ongoing surveys.

Members welcomed the strategy and acknowledged the work that had gone in to preparing it. It was essential that the work carers of all ages did was recognised and they were supported, with safety valves in place to offer short breaks/respite care and support for their mental health and wellbeing. The work of community groups and neighbours in supporting carers also needed to be recognised. The point was raised that some carers were unable to work full time, due to their carering responsibilities, and relied on universal credit. It was therefore important to be mindful of how any changes to universal credit could affect these carers.

RESOLVED

(i)  That Cabinet approves the Solihull Carers’ Strategy 2022-27; and

(ii)  That Cabinet agrees to delegate responsibility to the Director for Adult Social Care and Director for Children’s Services to work with relevant health partners to implement action plan refreshes as necessary in order to deliver the ambitions of the strategy.