A Big Moment for Carers: National Action Plan Released & Sutton Review Ahead

A New National Carers Action Plan – What It Means for You

A major development for Carers has just landed: the government has published a new Unpaid Carers Action Plan: Recognise, Refer, Reach, setting out 42 actions designed to improve how Carers are identified, supported and included across health, education, employment and social care services.

The plan acknowledges what Carers already know all too well - that caring can affect health, finances, work, education and the ability to take breaks. It aims to tackle long‑standing issues such as fragmented services, lack of recognition, and barriers to accessing support.

What’s in the national plan?

The Action Plan is built around three pillars:

• Recognise – making Carers more visible across the NHS, schools, workplaces and public services.

• Refer – ensuring Carers are connected earlier to the right support, including financial help, employment rights, health services and transition support for Young Carers.

• Reach – helping Carers to reach their full potential, with commitments around flexible working, Carer Passports, improved support in education, and better recognition in workforce planning.

This is the first cross‑government plan of its kind, and it signals a renewed national commitment to valuing Carers and strengthening the support available.

How This Links to Sutton’s Multi‑agency Carers Strategy

This new national Action Plan is now being reviewed and will directly influence the work plan for Sutton’s Multi‑agency Carers Strategy, which is currently in Year 2.

The Strategy brings together the Council, NHS partners, Sutton Carers Centre, and other partners including Young and Adult Carers themselves to improve local support, recognition and access to things like respite.

Your Chance to Hear the First Strategy Review – Monday 7 September

The first annual review of Sutton’s Multi‑agency Carers Strategy - covering progress so far and proposed priorities for the year - will be presented at the Sutton Health and Wellbeing Board on:

📅 Monday 7 September at 6.30pm

📍 Sutton Civic Offices & online

🕒 Public meeting (agenda and papers available)

The presentation will include Council and Health Leaders, Rachael (CEO of Sutton Carers Centre), and both Young and Adult Carers sharing their experiences shaped by this first phase of the Strategy.

Carers and members of the public are warmly invited to:

• Attend in person and listen from the public gallery

• Watch live online

• Catch up later via the meeting recording (the link will be published on the day and remain available afterwards)

This is a great opportunity to stay informed, hear directly from decision‑makers, and see how national policy is influencing local action.

Why This Matters

For Carers who want to stay connected to what’s changing - nationally and locally - this is a moment worth paying attention to. The national Action Plan sets the direction; Sutton’s Strategy turns it into real, practical improvements for Carers in the borough.

If you’re interested in how Carers’ voices are shaping services, or simply want to understand what support may be coming next, this meeting is a valuable window into the work underway.