AQW 16983/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 18/10/2024
Answered On Date: 01/11/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 14548/22-27, how the voices and experiences of young carers and young adult carers are being included in the cross-departmental working group on issues impacting carers.

Answer:

The Department of Economy have transferred this question to my Department for response as the Department of Health currently chairs the recently established Cross Departmental Senior Official Group for unpaid carers. I am grateful for and value the collaboration with senior officials from a range of other Departments in the recent formation of this group.

Many issues faced by carers are cross cutting and interconnected, this includes issues such as wellbeing, financial hardship, housing, isolation, participation in education, employment and leisure activities. Carers, including young carers and young adult carers, often face daily challenges associated with the responsibilities of caring and the impact of caring on their own lives.

As part of my Department’s Social Care Collaborative Forum a Supporting Carers Workstream has been established. This workstream is jointly chaired by my Department and Carers NI. Barnardo’s and Action for Children are core members, providing valued representation about the needs of young carers and young adult carers. Earlier this year a series of regional engagement events with carers were held, including two dedicated events with young carers and young adult carers. These events provided a welcome forum for the workstream to directly engage with young carers and young adult carers.

The Cross Departmental Senior Officials Group for unpaid carers has been formed as an outcome of the work of the Supporting Carers Workstream. I welcome that Carers NI have agreed to act in an advisory role to this group and will attend meetings by invitation. This will provide a conduit for the views and experiences of carers. In addition, other groups and carer representatives may also be invited to attend or provide input, which offers further opportunities for the inclusion of the voices of young carers and young adult carers.