Croydon carers strategy 2018 - 2022

Croydon’s previous strategy was published in 2011. Since then, the council has funded a wide range of services, including the Carers Support Centre on George Street, respite services for carers, carer assessments, peer support groups, employment workshops, training workshops, counselling, activities, young carer and young adult carer support, direct payments for carers, events and much more. We have done this mainly through our vibrant third sector in Croydon who like the council are passionate about supporting carers to enable them to make the choices relevant to them.

Croydon carers strategy 2018 to 2022 updates the earlier strategy by confirming the original objectives whilst setting out the priorities for action in a time of public sector spending constraint.

This strategy has been coproduced with commissioners, carers, The Whitgift Foundation, Mind in Croydon, Croydon Mencap, the Alzheimer’s Society, Croydon Off the Record, Horizon Care & Welfare Association, Help for Carers, Croydon Parents in Partnership, service managers and the Croydon Carers Partnership Board. The strategy was approved by carers and the Carers Partnership Board, and had feedback from the national organisation Carers UK.

We have taken into account the results of the national consultation with carers and the findings of a local surveys of carers undertaken in 2015, 2016 & 2017, the Care Act 2014, and the Opportunity & Fairness Commission Report 2016. Furthermore, the strategy was coproduced over 22 workshops with 239 carers and professionals attending during the summer and early autumn in 2017.