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Examines whether carers could be successfully brought to the scope of tax credit schemes. The article explains how tax credits work, and looks at the advantages and disadvantages of providing tax credits for carers.

Many carers need an outside interest, and Susan McGrath explains how this is being achieved in a project in East Sussex.

This article highlights five ways that councils can better support carers. It draws on good practice from Sunderland City Council, Rochdale MBC, Hertfordshire CC and Sefton MBC, the four councils who were awarded beacon status last year for the way they supported carers.

Talking from her own personal experiences, the author puts forward her view on what carers want from the NHS. 

The article reports that financing for the social carers' support scheme was stopped as the British government felt the program is not reaching enough carers.

The author reflects on the invisibility of young carers in North America. According to the author, these young people are hyper-mature for their age and usually take on adult responsibilities in their families. He says these people sacrifice their childhood to care for family members. Information on support programmes for young carers in North America is provided.

Baroness [Jill] Pitkeathley traces the development of the carers movement in the UK and assesses its impact. She concludes that it has been of vital significance in formulating and driving policy in health and social care. Its work is far from over though and a strong voice for carers will continue to be important in the future especially in view of our aging population and the pressure on health and social care budgets.

Decisions made on behalf of people with a learning disability and their families are often made without any input from the people they affect the most. Mencap's 'Listen and Learn' consultation programme was developed to find what is important to people with learning disabilities. The consultation used surveys, focus groups and interviews with people with learning disabilities, their family members or carers, Mencap members of staff and leaders of local Mencap groups.

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