Grants

This is the report of a study undertaken by the University of Leeds and commissioned by the Department of Health that aimed to get a better understanding of how local authorities in England spent their Carers' Grant allocations between 2005 and 2007 and how it enabled them to improve support for carers in their area. First introduced in April 1999, the Carers' Grant is provided to all councils with responsibility for social services in recognition of the support carers need for breaks and other services. [DH website abstract]

Caring with Confidence fund to be transferred to training and support projects. [Journal abstract]

The carers grant has been doubled and its long-term future secured as part of a new spending programme on adult care. But even now less than five per cent of carers will get the breaks from caring that they deserve, says Katie Leason. 

Examines some issues related to the grant given by the government to caregivers in the U.S. Aim of the grant; Expansion of the carers grant program; Benefits of the grant to caregivers; Limitations of the grant program.

In early 1999 the government announced money was to be spent on giving carers respite breaks. Reports on how the money, despite coming through to local authorities, has not reached the carers themselves.

A blow to spending on social services threatens a deterioration in quality of life for carers and users, but a new grant could protect this vulnerable group and ease some of the pressures on the NHS. [Journal abstract]