Unpaid carers
Councils are currently enhancing support for unpaid carers, reviewing services, and exploring financial relief for those providing care without payment.
Lewisham Council is set to enhance support for unpaid carers following a Care Quality Commission inspection in August 2026 that identified areas for development in adult social care services. This commitment follows Barking and Dagenham's Health & Wellbeing Board and ICB Sub-Committee adopting a refreshed Carers Charter in March 2026, outlining a 10-year framework. Richmond Council also adopted a new Adult Carers' and Young Carers' Charter in January 2026, co-produced with over 250 carers.
Hillingdon is reviewing its Carer Support Service, which supports 22,465 unpaid carers, following a report to the Health and Social Care Select Committee in November 2025. In the same month, Hounslow Council's Health and Adults Care Scrutiny Panel discussed providing council tax relief for unpaid carers. A report to Kingston's Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel in October 2025 highlighted health and financial struggles faced by unpaid carers.
Unpaid carers are individuals who provide care for family members or friends without financial compensation. Councils are working to address the challenges faced by these carers, with Hammersmith and Fulham's adult social care services showing a positive trajectory in June 2026, as heard by the Families, Health and Care Policy and Accountability Committee.
Key facts
- Lewisham Council is set to enhance support for unpaid carers following a CQC inspection in August 2026. Source
- Barking and Dagenham's refreshed Carers Charter was adopted by the Health & Wellbeing Board in March 2026. Source
- Richmond Council adopted a new Adult Carers' and Young Carers' Charter in January 2026. Source
- Hillingdon is reviewing support services for 22,465 unpaid carers, as reported in November 2025. Source
- Hounslow Council's Health and Adults Care Scrutiny Panel discussed council tax relief for unpaid carers in November 2025. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 1 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.