Council proposal to cut carers funding

** Update26 April 2018 **

The East Sussex County Council Carers’ survey closed on 25 April 2018. We will provide further updates as and when we receive information.

08 February 2018

Jennifer Twist, CEO of Care for the Carers, is asking for carers across the county to speak out about the £17 million of cuts to local services agreed by East Sussex County Council on 6 February.

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a relative or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health problem or who needs extra help as they grow older.

Of the £17 million in cuts that the Council needs to make, £422,000 is due to be made by reducing funding of services for carers. A full public consultation on the cuts will run until mid May, and Care for the Carers urges carers to take their opportunity to have their say about the negative effects this cut to funding will have on their lives and of those who rely on them for care.

Impact of adult social care cuts

Jennifer appeals to carers in East Sussex to attend one of its three upcoming consultation meetings, to raise their concerns about the impact of the funding cuts. Following the feedback it receives during the consultation process, East Sussex County Council will be making further decisions on the future provision of vital services for carers in the county.

“Carers must not be seen as a solution to the social care funding crisis, or be expected to plug the gap when services no longer exist. This will lead to more carers experiencing ill health, having to leave work to care for a loved one, or simply being unable to cope,” says Jennifer.

Proposed funding cuts in East Sussex could mean reductions to carers’ services to the value of £422,000!! ,carers must not be seen as the answer to the social care funding crisis. https://t.co/uPu1MzLzFf @Care4theCarers @CarersTrust @CarersUK @EastSussexCC @bbcsoutheast

— Jennifer Twist (@jennifer_twist) February 7, 2018

East Sussex County Council Cllr David Elkin, deputy leader and lead member for resources, said: “Even with the money a council tax increase would generate, and the additional efficiency savings we have been able to identify, we have some very tough choices to make to deliver a balanced budget.”

The suggested savings include proposals to reduce a range of adult social care services, but Jennifer says the impact of cuts like this is amplified for carers, who will lose services they rely on to care well for a loved one, as well as services they rely on themselves.

“We are hugely worried about what this will mean for the 65,000+ unpaid carers we represent. We are seeing a rise in the number of carers needing help, an increase in the intensity of caring roles and a growing number of safeguarding concerns – all coupled with a marked reduction in services available to carers and vulnerable people,” says Jennifer.

Carers consultation meetings

The meetings will take place across East Sussex. Sign upvia the following links:

HASTINGS – Thursday 22nd February 10.30am – 12.30pm
The Bridge Community Centre, 361 Priory Road, Hastings, TN34 3NW

** EVENT POSTPONED ** EASTBOURNE –
NOTICE: Due to the adverse weather conditions, and concerns for the safety of anyone who may want to attend, we have rescheduled the meeting planned for Wed 28 February. The meeting will now take place on Wed 21st March from 2.00pm – 4.00pm All Saints Church Hall, 21a Grange Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4HE.

PEACEHAVEN – Tuesday 6th March 2.00pm – 4.00pm
The Anzac Hall, Meridian Centre, Peacehaven, BN10 8BB

Find out more information about the meetings.

To reserve a place at any of the three consultation meetings,email Debbieor call 01323 738390.

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