Do you look after, or give any help or suapport to family members, friends, neighbours or others because of either long-term physical or mental ill-health / disability, or problems related to old age? In Kent we use the term “Carer” to cover the majority of people in this situation. Kent County Council, together with Kent’s Clinical Commissioning Groups are coming together to produce a Kent-wide Carers Strategy. We think that a strategy for Carers needs to reflect Carers lives now, and the impact of social, environmental and economic factors on their health and wellbeing. We want to better understand the support they may need to live well while caring for a family member or friend. This cannot be done without talking to Kents carers. We want to identify a wide range of carers, those who are already registered with carers services and also those are not. We want to start an active conversation with people to inform the Kent Carers Strategy and influence future service provision.

Next Steps We will be holding a number of these workshops / engagement events with carers across Kent over the next few months, across a number of subject matters. We are asking for some personal information as a part of this process, this information is to ensure we engage with a range of different carers in different circumstances. All information shared with us will be anonymized when put into a final report and the raw data disposed of in a safe and appropriate manor. The final report will be used to inform the development of a new Kent Carers Strategy and Influence future Carer Commissioning activities. If you would like to see the outcomes of this work, or be willing to help further by either attending groups or filling in a more in-depth survey please leave your contact details below:

We do ask a lot of questions about you and the person you care for. The reason is to ensure we capture as wide a selection of people and views as possible. Carers roles and journeys are very different often depending on their relationship to the 'cared for' and the type of care provided. Any details you share with us will only be used for the purpose of building a carers strategy and commissioning carers services. Your details will not be passed on to any other departments organisations
It is hard to say how long this form will take you to complete, for some it is 10 minutes others it takes longer depending on how much you have to say. Neither is right or wrong and everything contributed will be carefully read and considered, and fed back (if you so wish)

The next group of questions helps us to get a picture of the range of carers taking part in activities.

Please tell us your full postcode:
This will only be used to understand whereabouts in Kent you live, and won’t be used to identify you personally.

Are you …? (Please tick one only)

Which of these age groups applies to you? (Please tick one only)

To which of these ethnic groups do you feel you belong?

Do you regard yourself as belonging to a particular religion or belief?

If Yes, Which of the following applies to you?

Would you describe yourself as:

The Equality Act 2010 describes a person as disabled if they have a longstanding physical or mental condition that has lasted, or is likely to last, at least 12 months; and this condition has a substantial adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. People with some conditions (cancer, multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS, for example), are considered to be disabled from the point that they are diagnosed.

Do you consider yourself to be disabled as set out in the Equality Act 2010?

If Yes, Please tell us the type of impairment that applies to you:

Are you registered with, or involved with any of the following carers organisations?

Do any of the following apply to you?

How many people do you care for?

About the person you care for The questions in this section ask about the person that you care for, by which we mean the person that you look after or help. If you care for more than one person, please answer only in relation to the person you spend the most time helping. If you wish to tell us about more than one person- please indicate at the end of the form and someone will call you back.

Who is the person you care for?

How old is the person you care for?

Are they male or female?

Does the person you care for have:

Where does the person you care for usually live?

IF ‘SOMEWHERE ELSE’: Please provide their full postcode or post town. This will only be used to understand whereabouts in Kent people live, and won’t be used to identify them personally

About how long, on average, do you spend each week looking after or helping the person you care for?

Who is a ‘Carer’?

Many people we have spoken to do not consider them selves as 'Carers' They are a husband, wife or child... We would like yo know from you how you feel about the word 'Carer'

Who supports Carers and how?

In this part we are trying to find out which individuals provide you with support. Please indicate who they are, what support they provide and what that support means to you. This could be friends, family, neighbours - anyone who provides you with support, please tell us who they are (not full names) and in what way they support you and how it makes you feel, or how it helps you.

(we will ask about carers organisations further on)

Support Networks!

How do communities support carers and what do you know of in your community? Consider Hobby groups, Faith groups, local businesses, special offers etc. (Please include Carers organisation’s in this piece) Like before, please tell us who it is, how they help and what it means to you to have the support.

What more do you think communities can or should do?

Consider the 3 elements of People, Place and Process, by this we mean ... The people involved, whether staff, volunteers, customers etc...The Place may be the physical environment, is it easy to get to, to get around, does it have all the facilities needed such as toilets etc... The process is more thinking about policies and procedures, are people considered, are carers considered, are there any 'carer goes free' offers etc...

How do employers support carers? What are you aware of?

Has your caring role impacted upon your employment or career choice?

Is your employer aware of your caring responsibilities? If you have not told them what are your reasons? If you have told them what reaction or concessions did you receive?

What more do you think employers could do? Consider the 3 elements of People, Place and Process

Carers Health and Wellbeing

How may the caring role affect someone’s health?

How can a caring role affect a carers wellbeing?

Think about if carers get time for themselves, do they have social lives, can they set goals or have aims and ambitions which they feel they can achieve?

Greatest Support

Biggest Barriers

Please use this sheet for any other information which you would like to share with us

Thank you for taking the time to assist us in this piece of work, your input is very valuable.