Adult carers in Wolverhampton are being encouraged to complete a national survey if they are contacted to do so.
The Personal Social Services Survey of Adult Carers in England takes place every 2 years, with the latest getting underway this month. It will select a random sample of people who are, or were, a carer for someone aged 18 or over during the last 12 months.
The Department of Health and Social Care survey seeks to find out whether services received by carers aged 18 and over are helping them in their caring role and their life outside of caring, and their perception of the services provided to the person they care for.
It also asks carers about their quality of life, the impact of services on their quality of life, and their general health and wellbeing.
The survey will run until the end of November. Those carers selected to take part in the survey will be sent a questionnaire by post, including a freepost return envelope. All responses are confidential.
The City of Wolverhampton Council will analyse the results and share them anonymously with the Department of Health and Social Care.
Councillor Paula Brookfield, Cabinet Member for Adults, said: “Carers are the backbone of our health and social care system. Your voices matter, and this is your opportunity to ensure that your experiences shape the support you, and your loved ones, receive.
“If you receive a questionnaire in the post, please make time to respond, and please be open and honest around the support and services you have received.
“The results will help the council, and the Government, assess, shape and, where necessary, improve local services, and help inform future local and national policy decisions.”
A carer is someone who looks after a partner, family member or friend in need of support or services because of frailty, physical or learning disability, or illness, including mental illness, regardless of whether they receive Carers Allowance. Carers can be adults, children or siblings, or parent carers.
The council has made connections with over 7,000 unpaid carers who play a vital role in Adult Social Care, providing essential day to day support that allows millions to live with dignity and independence.
A range of support is available to them, including leisure, social and community activities, respite, income maximisation and emotional wellbeing support.
Also provided is practical information, guidance and advice on a range of matters services including training in essential skills such as first aid.
Support for carers is explored during a ‘person centred conversation’, to ensure support is tailored to individual needs in the caring role.