To ask the Minister of Health what support has been offered to carers of adults with learning disabilities during the response to COVID-19.

My Department has continued to support the needs of carers across all programmes of care during the response to COVID-19. A range of support has been provided as evidenced during carers’ week from 8-14 June 2020. This includes, but is not limited to, activities and resources provided online for adult and young carers to help maintain good mental health and emotional wellbeing; fun activities; cooking; sewing; quizzes; exercise classes; and opportunities to share and facilitate peer contact and support.

I have attached further details of initiatives and support provided during the pandemic.

FURTHER INITIATIVES AND SUPPORT PROVIDED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Advice for Informal (Unpaid) Carers and Young Carers during Covid-19 Pandemic was published by my Department on 10 April 2020 and subsequently updated on 22 May and 8 June. This guidance, developed in collaboration with the HSCB, HSCTs and Carers NI, includes a number of resources for managing stress, mental health and emotional well-being. It also includes links and contacts that are helpful to carers and young carers. The guidance can be accessed at the following link:www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/advice-informal-unpaid-carers-and-young-carers-during-covid-19-pandemic

A fortnightly forum has been established during COVID-19 to obtain feedback from HSC Trusts and voluntary sector organisations regarding the needs of young and adult carers.

A Carers ID Card was launched on 8 June 2020 granting unpaid carers access to priority in-store shopping at a range of major supermarkets across Northern Ireland.

COVID-19: Regional Principles for Visiting in Care Settings in Northern Ireland was published by my Department on 30 June 2020

in response to requests by carers of adults with learning disabilities. The guidance can be accessed at the following link:

www.health-ni.gov.uk/covid-visiting-guidance

Guidance on the use of Direct Payments during COVID-19 currently is being developed by my Department in consultation with service users and HSC Trusts.

Engagement has been ongoing between the HSC Trusts, carers and service users for planning for reopening a range of facilities based services that had been stood down to protect the health of people using the service.

HSC Trusts have redeployed their staff resource to provide alternative support to vulnerable service users and families on a risk assessed basis delivered within COVID-19 guidelines. Children’s short breaks services including residential care, while impacted by COVID-19, have continued to provide support to families. Residential access has been based on an assessment of need with specific priority assigned to those children and families where there is a high risk of family breakdown. This, however, remains predicated on the need to adhere to the public health guidance and RQIA direction in line with NI Executive decisions on settings such as child care /early years centres.The HSCB/PHA have also been working with the Education Authority/ Department of Education to have special schools reopened for children with the most complex needs.Throughout the lockdown period, family support hubs have continued to function in their role of supporting parents, carers and children.