How to use this toolkit – A guide This toolkit is intended for use with groups or with individuals on a one to one basis, who may wish/be unable to respond to the survey in a format other than online on Citizenspace. We would recommend that you start by reading out the text on the Introduction slide, which explains why we are asking to hear peoples views. You may wish to paraphrase or tailor this to the group or individual you are working with. Top 3 things that matter slide We would like you to discuss with your group or individual what the most important things are to them as a carer, this can include what they struggle with as well as things that have made a big difference. The aim is for the top 3 items to be identified and filled in against each number. Top 3 issues and questions slide These questions are the same as those featured in the survey and is designed for you to take each of your top three issues in turn, place it at the top of the answers/template slide and to talk with you group/individual talk about how they feel that would answer the question when considering the issue e.g Have you received help or support to improve how much you are recognised as a carer by the NHS? Some other areas where we would like to hear your views. This slide lists each of the areas we have asked areas about in the survey and where we would like to hear from your groups/individuals in terms the questions we have asked on the top 3 issues and questions slide. You can use the answers/template to go through these questions with any of these topics. If your group is struggling to thinks of three things that most matter the list can also be used as examples to start up conversation. Other experiences and support we know that being a carer is a unique experience for each individual and would like to know if there is any other type of support your group/individual may have found helpful or that they would like to tell us about. This can be collected from your groups and written by the facilitator on the back of the other experiences and support slide or on a separate form.

How to submit your DIY toolkit response Once you have completed the toolkit please can you send your toolkit and any additional papers that are part of your response to : Carers Team- Carers DIY toolkit response Social Care Policy and Legislation Team Department of Health 79 Whitehall, SW1A 2NS Please ensure you include on the how can we improve support for carers page the NAME OF YOUR ORGANISATION and the NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE RESPONSE. If you are happy to tell us the GROUP/INDIVIDUAL that is responding, please also provide this along with any additional information on

HOW CAN WE IMPROVE SUPPORT FOR CARERS Department of Health DIY Toolkit [NAME OF YOUR ORGANISATION] Number of people who were part of response

Introduction: Why has the government asked to hear from carers? The government is developing a new strategy for carers, setting out how they can do more to improve support for carers. The new strategy will be one which reflects carers lives now, the health and financial concerns they have, and gives them the support they need to live well whilst caring for a family member or friend. Informal carers (also called unpaid carers) are people who look after family members, friends, neighbours or others because of long-term physical or mental ill health or disability, or care needs related to old age. This does not include any activities as part of paid employment. Carers freely give their time and energy to support friends or family members and many rightly take pride in providing essential support for those close to them. Caring for others should not be to the detriment of the carer’s own health and wellbeing and carers can receive support in a number of ways – including from social services, the NHS, or the benefit system. To help the government develop the strategy, they want to hear from carers, those who have someone care for them, business, social workers, NHS staff and other professionals that support carers. It’s a simple question but it can have a lot of different answers – how can we improve support for carers?

What are the top 3 things that matter to you as a current/former carer? Please work with your group to discuss the range of things they feel are most important in helping support those who are carers and select the top three as a group to focus on

1.Have you received help or support to improve this issue? 2.If so where did this support come from and how did it help? e.g council/charity/social worker/family etc. 3.Are there specific ways of providing support for carers on this issue that you have found helpful, or would find helpful? 4.If you have yet to receive help or support on this issue what would make the difference in getting this issue addressed for you? Think and talk about each of your top 3 issues and the following questions

Answers/Responses Template: [Top 3 issue] Q1: Q2: Q3: Q4:

Some other areas where we would like to hear your views The Department of Health would also be keen to hear if there are specific ways of supporting carers in the following areas that you have found helpful, or would find helpful in the future? Challenges faced by carers e.g physical and mental and work and/or educational opportunities Identifying carers: Providing information and advice Services and other formal support for young carers and adult carers e.g. carers assessment, carers allowance, NHS support services etc Valuing and involving carers in services to the person they care for Supporting working carers and ensuring a life outside caring These issues can also serve as suggestions/conversation starters for the top 3 things that matter.

Other experiences and support Have we missed anything? Either individually or as a group tell us about any other experiences that you have not had a chance to talk about elsewhere. This could be generally about experience as a carer, receiving care, or working to support carers. It could be about a form of support that doesn’t fit in the top 3 or the list of areas we have already asked about and that you have found helpful, or would find helpful. Please try to limit this to 500 words or half a page per person where possible.