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Fact sheet

Commissioning for Carers

This new step-by-step guide, published September 2009, aims to assist commissioners in health and social care in supporting carers through the commissioning cycle by providing councils with a new blueprint for buying services to help carers.

Accompanying the main guide is a shorter action guide for decision-makers. This is aimed at directors of adult services, chief executives of primary care trusts (PCT) and elected members.

Key recommendations in the guides include:

  • think ‘carer’ in all commissioning and joint strategic needs assessments (JSNA)
  • improve outcomes, independence and choices for both carers and those they care for
  • involve carers of all groups and communities in decision-making and planning processes
  • strengthen the carer support provider market, using a variety of funding approaches

Download the guides below:

Commissioning for carers: full guide (2.1 MB)

Commissioning for carers: action guide for decision-makers (1.0 MB)

The guides were funded by the Department of Health and were jointly produced by the following organisations: Association of Directors for Adult Social Services (ADASS); Carers UK; Crossroads Care; Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA); Local Government Association (LGA); National Black Carers and Carers Workers Network (hosted by the Afiya Trust); NHS Confederation; The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.