Improving access to support for unpaid carers

The Health and Social Care Committee is holding an inquiry on improving access to support for unpaid carers.

 

The inquiry will seek to examine the current provision of, and access to, respite care services for unpaid carers across Wales, and identify changes to improve statutory support and enable unpaid carers to sustain a life beyond caring. This includes:

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>>> the main barriers faced by unpaid carers in accessing the support they need; including any specific challenges for carers based on factors such as age, ethnicity or where they live;

>>> the current availability of respite care across Wales, including levels of variation across regions;

>>> the extent to which the demand for carers support services is being assessed and addressed, and current levels of unmet needs;

>>> the role of Regional Partnership Boards in the provision of support for unpaid carers, and the effectiveness of current commissioning practices for services;

>>> the actions required to improve the implementation of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 provisions for unpaid carers (including Carers Assessments and support plans).

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Evidence gathering

We want to make sure that our work is informed by experiences, needs, and views that reflect the diversity of the people and communities affected by these issues.

 

We encourage anyone with expertise or experience of these issues to share your views, with the full knowledge that your views will be welcomed and valued.

 

Please note that the Committee does not investigate individual cases and will not pursue matters on behalf of individuals.

 

The closing date for submissions is 19 September 2025.

 

Along with your submission, you should provide the following information:

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>>> Your name and contact details as the person, or organisation, submitting the evidence.

>>> Whether your evidence is submitted as an individual, or on behalf of an organisation.

>>> If you are submitting evidence as an individual, confirmation that you are over 18 years old.

>>> If you are under 13 years old, your parent or guardian’s agreement that you can participate (this can be provided via email).

>>> Confirmation of whether you would prefer that your name is not published alongside your evidence (names of individuals under 18 years old will not be published).

>>> Confirmation of whether you would like the Committee to treat any or all of your written evidence as confidential, with reasons for the request.

>>> If you have referred to a third party in your evidence, such as a parent, spouse or relative, confirmation that they have agreed that you can share information that may be used to identify them and that they understand that it will be published.

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How to share your views

To share your views electronically, please send to SeneddHealth@senedd.wales, or by post to Health and Social Care Committee, Welsh Parliament, Cardiff, CF99 1SN.

 

Providing Written Evidence

The Senedd has two official languages, Welsh and English.

 

In line with the Senedd’s Official Languages Scheme, the Committee welcomes contributions in both or either of our official languages, and we ask organisations that are subject to Welsh Language standards or schemes to respond in line with their own obligations. Please inform the Committee when submitting responses if you intend to provide a translation at a later date.

 

Please see guidance for those providing evidence for committees.

 

Disclosure of information

Please ensure that you have considered the Senedd’s policy on disclosure of information before submitting information to the Committee.