"All too often, carers continue caring without support, despite the impact on their wellbeing, finances and future opportunities."
- Kirsty McHugh - Carers Trust
A new cross-government action plan has been launched to help support the one in ten people in England who are unpaid carers.
The Unpaid carers action plan: recognise, refer, reach is underpinned by three central pillars: recognising carers, referring them to services, and helping them reach their full potential.
The plan aims to recognise unpaid carers early, especially young carers, so they can then be referred to the support they need. This includes financial support such as the Carer’s Allowance, employment support such as Carer’s Leave and flexible working, or health and social care services. Support also includes helping them to remain in work or education.
Overall, the plan contains forty-two actions and sets out steps across health, social care, education, employment and social security.
Some of the main features of the plan include unpaid carers registering their role on the NHS App so health professionals can clearly identify them as carers, as well as involving them in care planning and referring them to the right support.
The single patient record will also mean all health and care providers will have the same information for a person, avoiding the need for unpaid carers to repeat information about the person they care for.
In addition, a 'carers' charter' will be published, setting out the carers’ rights and entitlements, and the unpaid carers information page on GOV.UK will put guidance from health, social care, employment and benefits in one place for the first time.
The government will also require employers with more than 250 employees to improve support for unpaid carers from spring 2027, and young carers will be identified more quickly and better supported so they can stay in education without falling behind at school.
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"Unpaid carers make an extraordinary contribution in our communities, caring for loved ones, often putting the needs of others before their own, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for all they do," Stephen Kinnock, minister of state for care, said.
"But too many still go unseen, struggle to find support or feel caring has held back their own health, education, work or retirement.
"Our action plan is addressing some of these challenges and is focused on helping carers reach their potential in education or work. To all unpaid and young carers across the country - this government values your contribution and is committed to building a system that recognises and supports you."
Kirsty McHugh, CEO of Carers Trust, added: "This action plan has the right aims - to make it easier for carers to be identified, get support, and ensure carers are properly considered across health, education and employment. All too often, carers continue caring without support, despite the impact on their wellbeing, finances and future opportunities.
"The plan is a positive step as we await the Casey Commission on social care reform, and it must lead to tangible change for carers. That means ensuring help is available when they need it, sustained investment in the services that support them, and a long-term strategic approach that tackles the pressures carers face every day."
