Contact: Vanessa Courtney 01962 845965. [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the Executive Member for Children & Families approves the Draft Young Carer Strategy and Action Plan for consultation.

That the consultation returns to the Executive Member for final approval and formal launch

2. Reasons

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priority:

"Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - by helping reduce the incidents of bullying for young carers, enabling them to feel confident about themselves and their families

"Maximising well-being" - by supporting young carers health needs, education, and their social skills and activities.

2.2 The decision supports the following Aims of the Children Act:

(Being healthy; Staying safe; Enjoying and achieving; Making a positive contribution; Economic well-being) by supporting young carers with their own health needs, reducing the incidents of bullying, enabling young carers to enjoy and achieve in their education and sport/leisure activities to their full potential including college and university, and achieve economic wellbeing for themselves.

3. Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 Refer to all other options considered including do nothing option.

The Young Carers' Strategy document approved in 2005 is due for review and renewal this year. The Inspectors of the Joint Area Review last year identified that the existing Strategy did not have an Action Plan and required that one be developed. There were no other options for this piece of work.

The Young Carers' Advisory Group have reviewed the Strategy and developed the Action Plan - attached.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 `None'.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 `None'.

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

6.1 Not urgent

Approved by: Date:

........................................

Councillor Mrs Patricia Banks

Executive Member for Children and Families