Meeting of the Parliament 04 February 2016
Amendments 4 and 8 seek to allow for the planning statement to contain information on the future care arrangements for a cared-for person. We will all have casework from elderly parents looking after adult offspring who are likely to outlive them, and we will have heard their concerns and worries about who will look after their children once they are gone or when they are no longer fit to provide care. The same is true of young people who reach a transitional time in their lives. What will happen when they go to college or university or when they decide that they need to leave home? In order for a carer to plan and prepare for the future, those aspects of their role need to be covered in their plan or the statements.
Amendments 24, 27 and 14 deal with support for carers who suffer bereavement. Carers often tell us about the impact of the death of their loved one; not only do they have to suffer that bereavement, but they find that the support that had been there disappears almost immediately. Some who have been caring for a very long time have stopped working and neglected friendships, and they therefore find themselves very isolated. Their carers allowance stops, and they are often in financial difficulties. It is important that, as bereavement comes closer, plans and statements reflect that fact and ensure that some preparation is made in that respect.
We must also ensure that there is appropriate support for the carer when bereavement happens, and amendment 14 ensures that advice and information centres also provide carers with bereavement support.
I move amendment 4.