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Caring takes time and, as we know, time costs. With an ageing population that is living longer, there is less time and less money to be allocated to older people. This article looks at the role and contribution of informal carers to the social care system, and says that more should be done to recognise their skills and knowledge, and better support should be given to help prevent their ill-health, thus helping to reduce the rising cost of formal care to local social services. 

Safeguards needed if informal carers are to be given cash payments to buy care packages. [(BNI unique abstract)]

Tara Purdy never dreamed she would one day see her articles in print. But she was one of the lucky ones whose article was chosen to appear in the pages of an annual glossy magazine.

Barnardo’s, the children’s charity, has produced a revised version of its resource pack, Keeping the Family in Mind, after the first 500 packs sold out.

There are few services provided for people with brain injuries with the result that too much pressure is placed on their carers. Talks to a social worker about the difficulties she had in obtaining support for her client and his carer.

The number of young carers in the UK is increasing. The official figure is 175,000 but this is likely to be a massive underestimate.

Much of the 150million earmarked by the government to help carers never reached them. Where PCTs did pass on funds it has made a crucial difference. The author reports. [Journal abstract]

Community Care's exclusive survey of young carers shows that half will spend more than five hours caring for another member of the family this Christmas. The authors talks to one young carer about her plans for the Christmas holidays. 

New bill to improve support for UK informal carers. The proposed Carers (Identification and Support) Bill is summarised and responses from charities and other organisations are discussed. [BNI unique abstract]

Explains how Lancashire social services' voucher scheme is giving carers more choice and flexibility over respite care.