Welfare Reform on the Web (November 2001): Social Care - UK - Community Care

BEYOND CARING

D. Hepworth

Community Care, no. 1388, 2001, p.20

The special carer's grant introduced in 1999 was intended to provide carers with supportive services to relieve stress, promote their social inclusion and maintain their health. Research suggests that local authorities have failed to live up to these aspirations, and have especially failed to help minority ethnic carers.

CARER BREAK OR CARER-BLIND? POLICIES FOR INFORMAL CARERS IN THE UK

L. Pickard

Social Policy and Administration, vol.35, 2001, p.441-458

Paper identifies two different approaches to support for informal carers in recent UK government policy. One approach, laid down in the National Strategy for Carers, emphasises support through the provision of short term breaks from caring. The second approach, adopted by the Royal Commission on Long Term Care, involves reducing strain on carers through the provision of improved services for the person cared for. The advantages and disadvantages of the two policy approaches are examined.

EQUAL BUT DIFFERENT

S. Hensman

Community Care, no.1386, 2001, p.22-23

Alliances between people needing care, informal carers and the voluntary and statutory sectors may be crucial in tackling the problems that exist in provision of community care and achieving a better quality of life for people requiring long term support.