People Scrutiny Committee

17 March 2026

 

Report of the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Integration

 

York Carers Strategy 2026–2032

 

Summary

1.           This report presents the York Carers Strategy 2026–2032 for consideration and comment.

2.           The Strategy sets out the Council’s and its partners’ shared approach to improving how unpaid carers are identified, supported and involved. It is the culmination of extensive engagement with carers and partners and provides a framework for improvement, monitoring and accountability over the next six years.

3.           The Committee is asked to consider and comment on the Strategy prior to consideration by Health and Care Partnership.

Background

4.           Unpaid carers play a vital role in supporting family members and friends across York. Caring can have a significant impact on carers’ health, wellbeing, employment, education and social lives.

5.           The development of the York Carers Strategy has taken place alongside a period of increased focus on carers following the Council’s recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection. The inspection identified the need to strengthen how carers are identified, assessed and supported, and to improve oversight of carers’ experience and outcomes.

6.           The York Carers Strategy 2026–2032 provides the framework through which those areas of improvement will be addressed in a coordinated and sustainable way, aligned with the Council’s Adult Social Care Strategy and wider corporate priorities.

Consultation

7.           The Strategy has been developed through extensive engagement and involvement with carers and partners across the city.
8.           This included:
·               a citywide carers consultation exercise
·               ongoing involvement of the Carers Action Group
·               development and oversight through the Carers Strategy Group
·               engagement with commissioned services and partner organisations
9.           Carers helped shape the priorities and direction of the Strategy at the outset and continued to be involved throughout its development to guide and refine the final document.
10.        Their feedback highlighted key issues including the need for earlier identification, improved access to support, reduced loneliness and isolation, and more joined-up services
Options    

11.        Option 1 – Note and comment on the York Carers Strategy 2026–2032.

 

Option 2 – Request further information or amendments prior to consideration by Health and Care Partnership.

 

Analysis

 

12.        Option 1 enables Scrutiny to review the Strategy and provide assurance and comment. This supports transparency and ensures the Strategy reflects carers’ needs and corporate priorities.

 

Option 2 would allow further refinement of the Strategy if Members identify areas requiring clarification or strengthening.

 

Council Plan

 
13.        The York Carers Strategy supports the Council Plan priorities, including:
i.          improving health and wellbeing
ii.         reducing inequalities
iii.       supporting communities
iv.       ensuring residents can live healthy, independent lives
v.        Supporting carers also contributes to prevention, community resilience and the sustainability of health and care services    
Implications

14.      Implications are listed below:

·                 Financial

The Strategy will be delivered within existing resources and commissioned services, including York Carers Centre and partner organisations. No additional funding is required at this stage. Any future commissioning decisions will be considered through normal governance and budget processes

·                    Human Resources (HR)

There are no direct Human Resources implications arising from this report.

·                    Equalities

Carers are a protected group under the Equality Act 2010. The Strategy supports the Council’s duties to recognise and support carers and reduce inequalities experienced by carers.

A Human Rights and Equity Analysis Tool (HREAT) has been considered as part of the Strategy development and is attached at the end of this document.

 

 

·                    Legal

The Strategy supports the Council’s duties under the Care Act 2014 and Children and Families Act 2014 to identify, assess and meet the eligible needs of carers, as well as the duty to prevent carers from developing needs for support themselves. These are distinct duties under the Care Act 2014, and it is important to bear in mind that local authorities cannot fulfil their universal prevention duty in relation to carers simply by meeting eligible needs, and nor would universal preventative services always be an appropriate way of meeting carers’ eligible needs (Care and Support Statutory Guidance 2.17).

·                    Procurement

There are no direct procurement implications, however where there are services delivered within existing commissioned services and resources, which includes York Carers Centre, that were previously procured and contracts/agreements awarded these would be subject to the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 and council’s Contract Procedure Rules and invite competitive tenders prior to those commissioned services contracts/ agreements ending.

·                    Crime and Disorder

There are no direct crime and disorder implications.

·                    Information Technology (IT)

There are no direct IT implications arising from this report.

·                    Property

There are no direct property implications.

·                    Communications

A clear and coordinated partners approach is needed to support the publication and rollout of the York Carers Strategy 2026–2032. Messaging will focus on raising awareness of the strategy among carers, partners and the wider public, highlighting the Council’s commitment to improving the identification, support and involvement of unpaid carers. Communications activity will also play a key role in managing expectations, ensuring that carers understand both the improvements being introduced and the ongoing constraints on resources.

Consistent, accessible messaging—developed with partners and informed by carers’ feedback—will help build trust, strengthen engagement and support the delivery of the Strategy’s aims over time.

·                    Other

There are no other known implications.

 

 

Risk Management

 

15.        The Strategy provides a framework for improving support to carers and strengthening oversight and monitoring. There is a risk that improvement may be limited if progress is not effectively monitored. This risk is mitigated through governance arrangements, including oversight by the Carers Strategy Group and ongoing involvement of carers through the Carers Action Group. The Strategy includes measurable indicators which will be reviewed and refined over time to support continuous improvement.

 

Recommendations

16.        Members are asked to:

i.          Consider and comment on the York Carers Strategy 2026–2032.

Reason: To provide Scrutiny assurance and input prior to consideration by Executive.

Contact Details

 

Author:

Harriet Smith

Integrated Commissioning Lead

Adult Social Care

 

 

Chief Officer Responsible for the Report:

Sara Storey

Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Integration

 

 

 

Report Approved

ü

Date

9 March 2026

Wards Affected: 

All

ü

 

 

 

Background Papers:

Care Quality Commission Inspection Report, https://www.cqc.org.uk/care-services/local-authority-assessment-reports/york-1225

 

Annexes

·          Annex A – York Carers Strategy 2026–2032

·          Annex B – York Unpaid Carers Consultation Report

·          Annex C – Human Rights and Equity Analysis Tool (HREAT)

 

Abbreviations

ASC – Adult Social Care

CQC – Care Quality Commission