D. Priority: A life outside of caring

Outcome: Adult and young carers have the opportunity to have a life outside of caring and maintain social relationships with family, friends and others

Actions will include

• We will use digital means to increase awareness of online directories, such as Staffordshire Connects, and face-to-face information sources including our community help points, so carers can connect with social groups and events in their community.
• We will co-produce with carers a range of affordable and personalised opportunities to enable carers with the greatest need to have a break from caring.
• We will work with partners including the voluntary sector to ensure carers have access to suitable peer support opportunities. This will include carers groups where carers can go with the cared for person.
• We will help underrepresented carers, such as those in rural areas, to be better socially connected and experience fewer feelings of isolation.
• We will ensure that young carers have educational opportunities and can experience activities and flexible peer support sessions outside school hours, that support them to develop and sustain friendships with their peers and gives them time away from their caring responsibilities.
• We will support young carers to access education, work and training, ensuring that the education and life chances of young carers are not compromised by their caring role.
• We will ensure that Staffordshire Connects has up to date information on how to arrange and access respite care.

We will measure delivery of this outcome through:

• Number of young carers’ statutory assessments and number of young carers made known as a carer to their school.
• Number of young carers supported to access or maintain employment.
• Number of adult carers in receipt of short break opportunities.
• Number of young carers in receipt of short break opportunities and peer group support
• % of carers supported by Adult Social Care receiving support in full or in part via one-off direct payments.