Speak out about carers funding cuts

by | Jun 28, 2018 | Carer News

Update 28 June 2018

Unfortunately, East Sussex County Council has now confirmed its decision to make £422,000 of cuts to carers services, after its cabinet meeting on Tuesday this week.

We will continue to update you with news about what this means for the services available to carers in the area. In the meantime, ourChief Executive Officer, Jennifer Twist, comments on the news:

We were saddened that East Sussex County Council’s budget for carers services has been reduced, and also at the scale and reach of the savings that have needed to be made. The impact is concerning and will be far reaching. We are working with our partners to support carers and those they care for, and will be asking our national partners and local MPs to raise the serious issue of the crisis in health and social care funding at government level.

Councillor Keith Glazier provided an official statement from East Sussex County Council:

Please do get in touch with Care for the Carers on 01323 738390 or email info@cftc.org.ukif you have any questions and we’ll do our best to help.

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27 April 2018

The public consultation into the proposed East Sussex County Council (ESCC) funding cuts for carersservices of £422,000 came to an end earlier this week.

What will happen now?

  • East Sussex County Council will compile all the feedback from the completed surveys, feedback at meetings and comments received in writing or over the phone.
  • Cabinet will consider recommendations, the consultation results and Equality Impact Assessments at its meeting on 26 June 2018.

It’s not too late to make a difference

Carers have told Care for the Carers that they would like to write to their East Sussex County Councillor to share their concerns, and asked for a letter template they could use and adapt. You can download a template here [download Word doc].

By contacting your local councillor, and copying in your local MP, you can help them understand the impact these cuts will have on you and other carers in their constituency and inspire them to speak out on behalf of unpaid carers.

Remember:the most important thing is that your local councillor understands the impact these cuts will have on you, so including something about your personal experience will make a big difference.

When will we hear what’s next for carers?

Care for the Carers will continue to provide regular updates on the proposals, decision making after the 26 June Cabinet meeting, and opportunities to get involved in the future.

If you have any questionsemail usor call us on 01323 738390.

Background to the cuts

A 10-week consultation period on the proposed cuts to carers services in East Sussex, part of an overall £10 million pound reduction to the Adult Social Care budget,came toan end on 25 April 2018.

During the consultation period, Care for the Carers was busy actively supporting as many carers as possible to speak up at the meetings in person, and to share their views via social media. We encouraged carers to complete the online consultation and supported East Sussex County Council (ESCC) to send copies of the survey to carers who may not have internet access.

Care for the Carers has also facilitated a number of consultation events across the county, which were attended by ESCC representatives who shared their proposals, answered questions and listened to carers’ views and experiences. You can download notes from each of the consultation meetings [zip file].

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