To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any steps taken to ensure that carers can access (i) financial support; and (ii) practical support while respite provision remains limited.

My Department provides Carer’s Allowance, a benefit for unpaid carers aged 16 and over who provide 35 hours or more of care per week. Carers Allowance can be claimed online quickly via any device with internet access. The Department’s Make the Call service also provides entitlement checks to ensure a carer is accessing all the support available to them. In addition, a range of financial assistance may be available from the Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts including: a one-off carers payment to meet an identified need; use of Direct Payments to support a carer in their caring role; and within Children and Disability Services, the cost equivalent of residential short breaks may be offered if the family can identify an appropriate carer.

The Department of Health has confirmed that all HSC Trusts have well-established carers’ services offering a range of practical and emotional support. Trusts are responsible for the planning and delivery of short break services, aligned to assessed needs and within the financial resources available. For adult services alternatives to bed based care such as day care, a sitting service in the person’s own home or a Direct Payment can be offered. Adults with a learning disability can also access respite/a short break in a Shared Lives Carer’s home. Trusts also signpost to community and voluntary supports. Within Children’s Services, Trusts can offer alternatives such as befriending, Share the Care/Foster Care, Direct Payments and short day breaks through community and voluntary groups. Emergency short breaks are available for children and adults in critical or unforeseen situations when primary caregivers are unexpectedly unavailable, through illness or emergencies, or there may be a safeguarding concern which may mean that care needs provided outside of the family home.