Kingston's unpaid carers are facing significant challenges to their health and financial stability, according to a report presented at the Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 23 October 2025.

The report highlighted that many carers in the borough are struggling with their own physical and mental health, as well as facing financial hardship due to their caring responsibilities. The panel heard that the increasing demand for care in Kingston, driven by a growing and aging population, is placing additional strain on unpaid carers.

According to the report pack provided to attendees of the meeting, the 2021 census indicated that approximately 12,000 people in Kingston provide at least one hour of unpaid care per week. However, the true number of carers is estimated to be much higher, potentially over 37,000.

The report pack outlined several key challenges and opportunities for carers in Kingston:

  • Health and Wellbeing: Over half of carers surveyed by Carers UK reported that their physical health had suffered as a result of their caring role, and that carers often experienced high rates of stress, anxiety and depression. The report pack suggested that there was an opportunity in Kingston to develop a multi-disciplinary model to support carers' health and wellbeing holistically as part of the new Neighbourhood Health Plan.
  • Worse Financial and Employment Status: Research by Carers UK and WPI Economics reportedly found that 1.2 million unpaid carers live in poverty, and 400,000 live in deep poverty in the UK. The report pack suggested that there was an opportunity to improve how the system shares intelligence about carers known to the council that struggle financially, and how supported employment schemes like Connect to Work or Citizens Advice can support carers.
  • Recognition and Identification of Carers: The NHS South West London 5 Year Plan reportedly states that health professionals only identify 1 in every 10 carers . The report pack stated that Kingston had identified a particular gap in identification through GP practices and of young carers, and that schemes like the No Wrong Door or the Think Carer scheme in Kingston Hospital were helping to address lack of identification.
  • System Changes: The report pack stated that the increasingly difficult financial situation, coupled with upcoming NHS changes, meant that funding remained uncertain in the medium term for key schemes and projects that have been set up to support Kingston carers.
  • Legislation: The report pack stated that while legislation is in place that aims to recognise and meet carers needs and involve them in care planning, some challenges remain especially around financial rights, and that the Carer Allowance is relatively low and complex rules mean that carers can sometimes struggle with back payments or losing other benefits.

The report pack also detailed partnership and system work, noting that the All Age Kingston Carers Board, co-chaired by RBK and KCN, serves as a platform for collaboration on improving outcomes for carers. It also noted key support in Kingston, including that 4,269 adult carers and 754 young carers are registered with KCN, who provide support including carers assessments, information, benefits advice and targeted support for male carers and young adult carers.

The report pack stated that there are an estimated 2,000 young carers in the borough, but latest schools census records only 355. It noted that key work includes a No Wrong Door Memorandum of Understanding, and that the KCN's Young Carers Project offers tailored support, including skills-based youth groups, respite, and one-to-one mentoring.

The report pack stated that Kingston partners are committed to the continued collaboration to improve outcomes and experiences for carers, and that the goal is to involve more carers as experts by experience in the shaping of health and care models and to run partnership programs as outlined, e.g. to enhance employer practices or improve multi-agency working to better support carers.

The Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel will continue to monitor the situation and work with partners to improve the lives of carers in Kingston. The full Public Reports Pack is available online.