Tag Archives: carers
For families who care for children of friends or relatives
High Court ruling ‘could mean extra money for carers who look after relatives’ children’
Thousands of carers who look after relatives’ children could be paid as much as double the financial support they currently receive after a landmark High Court judgment today.
By Sam Marsden
Mr Justice Males paid tribute to the “unsung heroines of our society” as he ruled that a council was wrong to pay more money to foster parents who were unrelated to the youngsters they cared for than those who brought up the children of family or friends.
The case was brought by a woman who is the registered foster mother of two nephews and a niece, who are aged seven, 14 and 15, and all of whom have serious learning difficulties and emotional problems.
She complained that Tower Hamlets council in East London was paying her less to help look after the children than an unrelated foster parent would have received.
The judge concluded today that the local authority’s payment policies discriminated against people who fostered children to whom they were related.
The solicitor who represented the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said the judgment could also benefit many other families who look after children of friends or relatives.
International Women’s Day: Who cares?
An older working carer reviews her experience in a changing world by Maria Parsons
Friday, March 8, 2013
12:44 AM
Maria Parsons looks at the issue of carers in her essay for The International Longevity Centre-UK (ILC-UK).
Maria Parsons is committed to improving services for older people and their carers. A social worker, academic and policy lead with health, social care and housing, formerly Director of Oxford and London Dementia Services Development Centres, she is now Director of the Creative Dementia Arts Network (CDAN).
International Women’s Day offers a rare opportunity to formally recognise women’s care of older people and to place ‘who cares’ firmly back onto the political agenda. For amidst the policy debates and government responses to Dilnot, scant attention, if any, has being paid to the ‘who’ of care funding; specifically on ‘whom’ and ‘what’ will the funds made available be spent?
Carers plant bulbs to raise awareness of dementia
Verges beautified for carers
Two women planted more than a thousand discounted late daffodil bulbs on roadsides around Fleet Hargate for eight hours last week to remember the plight of dementia sufferers and their carers.
Pictured are, from left, the two planters, Holbeach parish councillor Joan Woolard and Marcia Abrahams ,and Val Gemmell, who provided transport.
Joan Woolard said: “Narcissus bulbs are used in drugs to treat dementia. We’re planting to raise awareness of dementia and of the drop-in open days specially for carers and sufferers the last Monday and second Wednesday of every month at Holbeach Youth Centre.” (SG260213-127TW)
http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/community/community-news/verges-beautified-for-carers-1-4856245
