Cornwall Adult, Transition and Young Carers Service

The Carers Service is intended to support Carers in their caring role. Cornwall Council is procuring this service on behalf of the Council and NHS Kernow.

Broadly a Carer is “somebody who provides support or who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their age, physical or mental illness, or disability. This would not usually include someone paid or employed to carry out that role, or someone who is a volunteer” (Care Act, 2014).

Cornwall Council and NHS Kernow will ensure that all Carers are able to access a range of personalised services to support them in their role and to help the people they care for remain independent and within their own homes and communities.

Fundamental to this, is ensuring that all Carers are identified early and have access to quality information and advice as well as a Carers assessment and Carers support plans. The support plan recognises and values their caring role and the contribution they make but also identifies the outcomes that they need to meet to enable them to have a life outside of their caring role and manage their health and wellbeing.

According to the 2011 Census, 63,192 people in Cornwall stated they provided unpaid care. When compared to the South West (SW), and England and Wales (EN&W) Census data; it is evident that the number of Cornwall’s unpaid Carers is above both regional and national levels.