Ealing Council is set to enhance its support for young carers, addressing a critical need identified in recent reports. The council aims to improve the identification of young carers, provide better support during their transition into adult services, and ensure their voices are heard in the design and implementation of new initiatives.
The move follows discussions at the Health and Adult Social Services Scrutiny Panel meeting on Thursday 10 July 2025, where the panel reviewed findings from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Local Government Association (LGA) inspection reports. These reports highlighted the necessity for improved identification and support for young carers, particularly as they transition into adult services. The council is using SMS campaigns and primary care to identify carers, and young carers are represented in partnership spaces.
The CQC's summer 2024 assessment of Ealing's adult social care services, which rated the council as 'requires improvement', pointed out that while the council demonstrated strengths in several areas, including safeguarding and partnership arrangements, there was mixed feedback regarding the support available for carers. The report noted some carers experienced long waiting times for assessments and limited ongoing support. The council plans to review the Carers resident
journey to improve the assessment pathway and enhance the digital offer for assessment and information and advice, addressing gaps in service, particularly for those transitioning to adult services.
To address these concerns, Ealing Council has outlined several actions in its updated work plan. These include:
- Enhanced Identification: Implementing strategies to identify young carers earlier in their journey, ensuring they receive timely support. This includes using SMS campaigns and working with primary care services, as outlined in the CQC and LGA Inspection Reports - Update of Adult Services Workplan.
- Improved Transition Support: Focusing on providing better support as young carers transition into adult services, addressing a critical gap in current provisions. The council will review the carers' journey to improve the assessment pathway and enhance digital resources.
- Increased Awareness: Launching awareness programmes to highlight the needs of young carers and the resources available to them. This includes events, coproduction initiatives, and written communications, as detailed in the CQC and LGA Inspection Reports - Update of Adult Services Workplan.
- Direct Payments: Increasing the number of carers receiving direct payments, empowering them to choose the support that best meets their needs.
The council's commitment to improving carer support is also reflected in the Carers Strategy, launched in June 2025, which aims to enable carers to have a family and community life alongside their caring responsibilities, support them in maintaining their physical and mental wellbeing, and help them maximise their income and realise their potential. The council will incorporate the voices and experiences of young carers through coproduction as part of its awareness raising program, as outlined in the CQC and LGA Inspection Reports - Update of Adult Services Workplan.
These initiatives align with the broader goals outlined in Ealing Council's Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which emphasises putting communities at the heart of everything and ensuring systems and structures leave no one behind. By focusing on early identification, transition support, and increased awareness, Ealing Council aims to create a more supportive environment for young carers, enabling them to thrive both in their caring roles and in their personal lives.
Further details on the council's plans can be found in the CQC and LGA Inspection Reports - Update of Adult Services Workplan.