News Release, 3 June 2003
Learning Disability Partnership Boards across England are struggling to identify, meet and plan for the needs of older family carers of people with learning disabilities, according to 'Planning for Tomorrow', a report released today by The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities.
The findings come from questionnaire-based research with over 70 Partnership Boards that reveals concerns over lack of resources and capacity to meet priorities for older family carers set out in the Government's White Paper, Valuing People.
The report is part of the on-going Older Family Carers Initiative, a three-year project led by the Foundation in partnership with organisations working to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities and their families, and the Valuing People Support Team. It is aimed at supporting Partnership Boards to identify, meet the needs and plan for the future of older family carers of people with learning disabilities.
Valuing People estimates that one third of people with learning disabilities living in the family home are living with a carer aged 70 or over. Yet less than 40 per cent of Partnership Boards, according to Planning for Tomorrow, provide support and information about planning for their future needs. Less than half know how many people with learning disabilities live at home with a family carer aged 70 or over.
Hazel Morgan, Head of the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, said: "Identifying older family carers is essential if the Government's target of ensuring all family carers over 70 have a plan agreed to meet their future needs is met. It is important that Partnerships Board go beyond Government targets and start planning for the future when carers reach 60 to avoid unnecessary anxieties and crises. Yet less than 40 per cent of Partnership Boards can identity younger carers approaching 70.
"While Partnerships Boards want to develop their services and support for older families, they need to be given the resources and funding to do this effectively. Employing dedicated workers and monitoring older family carers regularly can only be resourced with long-term funding commitments. The Learning Disability Development Fund is a short-term answer to a long-term problem.
Planning for Tomorrow shows that many Partnerships Boards keep in touch regularly with older families and plan for their future with sensitivity and care. These good practices have to be rolled out across England so all families can enjoy the benefits of well organised services."
Cally Ward, Valuing Support Team Regional Advisor, West Midlands and national lead on family carers issues, said:
"Planning for Tomorrow is an important contribution to the implementation of the Valuing People's strategy. Knowing where Partnership Boards need to be more effective and sharing information about good practice can only result in better planning for the future needs of older family carers."
Planning for Tomorrow is calling on learning Disability Partnerships Boards and the Government to get in touch and stay in touch with all older family carers as a matter of urgency. Resources and funding should reflect this long-term commitment to planning for their future needs.
The Older Family Carers Initiative (OFCI) is a three-year project led by the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities. It is designed to support Partnership Boards across England to identify and meet the needs of older family carers of people with learning disabilities. The Initiative began in 2002 and is funded by a Section 64 grant from the Department of Health.
ENDS
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Note to editors
For further information and interview requests contact please contact the press office on 020 7803 1105 / 1128 or email the press office
The Foundation promotes the rights, quality of life and opportunities of people with learning disabilities and their families. We do this by working with people with learning disabilities, their families and those who support them to:
- Do research and develop projects that promote social inclusion and citizenship
- Support local communities and services to include people with learning disabilities
- Make practical improvements in services for people with learning disabilities
- Spread knowledge and information.
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