A new Carers Council has been set up to give carers a wide range of opportunities to have their say when policies are being discussed, new services developed and reviews of existing services are taking place.

Diagram of Carers Strategy Management Structure

Carers Council Principles

The new Carers Council will be based on the following principles:

• It will be independent of statutory agencies
  
• It will be hosted and supported by a Carer led organisation
  
• The Carers Council forum will be chaired by local carers and will be open to any Portsmouth resident currently providing unpaid care
  
• Voluntary roles will be kept to a minimum, e.g. Chair and vice- chair, in order to minimise the burden placed on individual carers while maximising involvement.
  
• The council will not be a one-stop shop for Carer involvement and consultation – Consultation will continue across the whole caring community using a variety of methods.

Carers Council Function

The term ‘Carers Council’ will refer to a regular open forum for carers.
During the forum carers will have the opportunity to:

• Listen to and discuss progress reports on the carers strategy.
• Ask questions and raise issues relating to the strategy, local carers services and any other relevant areas of current concern to carers.
• Give a carers perspective on developments and put forward suggestions for improvement.
• Influence the executive board’s decisions and the direction of policy and strategy development through representation from the council chair and vice-chair.

You can be involved in the Carers Council by:

• Attending a forum
• Contact by email
• Contact by post

Information and agendas will be sent out prior to forum dates allowing you to respond and raise issues by Email, phone or letter.

Forum dates, agendas, minutes and reports here >>