Charity blasts council 'U-turn' over unpaid carers

The organisation has delivered government-funded respite breaks for the county's unpaid carers for 14 years

A charity has said it will continue supporting 274 unpaid carers after a local authority "made a last-minute decision to cut off further funding".

Crossroads Care Surrey (CCS) has been delivering government-funded respite breaks for unpaid carers across the county for the last 14 years.

It claimed that in February, Surrey County Council (SCC) unexpectedly served the organisation six months' notice on a contract that should not have ended until March 2027.

The council said it had always planned on a "smooth transition" away from CCS.

"This abrupt U-turn not only breaks the promise made to unpaid carers, it also places already exhausted individuals in an impossible position," said CCS chief executive Terry Hawkins.

But Sinead Mooney, Surrey County Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said its aim "has always been to work constructively with CCS on a smooth transition away from our contract and involvement with them."

The move means that from Monday CCS would no longer have been providing unpaid carers with funded respite breaks.

However, the charity's supporters have stepped in to give it an "unexpected financial boost" of £250,000, meaning it can carry on providing vital assistance for its existing clients up until 30 November this year.

"We know just how vital these respite breaks are for carers' mental and physical health," said Mr Hawkins.

"We also know that at such a difficult time, the loss of this service will undoubtedly place an even greater burden on the already stretched GPs and hospitals across the county."

"So, while it's deeply disappointing to see the council walk away from their commitment, this has given us the means to do the right thing and we are incredibly grateful."

Ms Mooney added: "We're pleased that Crossroads Care Surrey has confirmed they will honour their agreements with carers by continuing to offer replacement care for those with remaining hours, following the end of the council's contract.

"These wellbeing breaks are provided under agreements made directly between Crossroads and each carer.

"We listened to carers and the findings of an independent review and introduced a new approach to carer wellbeing support which puts choice and control back in the hands of carers.

"This new offer – a £300 payment on a pre-paid card which gives carers complete flexibility over their wellbeing breaks - has the potential to benefit many more carers across Surrey," she said.

"Tens of thousands of people across Surrey support their vulnerable loved ones and we're absolutely committed to reaching as many as we can.

"I would urge any carer who received the previous carer break offer to contact the county council's information and advice service directly to discuss their options."