Somerset Council has announced a significant reduction in its financial contribution to the Mental Health Carers' Assessment Service (CAS), sparking concerns among carers and local advocacy groups. The council will halve its funding, a reduction amounting to £150,000, impacting a service that has been jointly funded with the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. This decision comes in the wake of the CAS handling over 3,104 referrals last year, providing essential assessments and support for carers of individuals with severe mental health conditions.
The CAS plays a crucial role in Somerset, offering statutory carers' assessments and ongoing support, including access to support groups for those caring for loved ones with severe mental illness. Mel Warburton, chair of a local carers' group, praised the expertise of the CAS as "second-to-none," emphasizing its importance as a "matter of life and death" for many carers. Warburton, who has relied on the service while caring for her daughter, credits it with saving her family over the past three-and-a-half years.
"They've saved me, over the last three-and-a-half years. I don't think I'd have got through, and my husband as well, we wouldn't have got through as a family without their support." – Mel Warburton
Despite these concerns, Somerset Council remains committed to supporting all carers in the region. The council provides a universal offer accessible for free through the Community Council for Somerset, intended for all caregivers, including those supporting individuals with mental health needs. This initiative aligns with the Commitment to Carers strategy that Somerset Council approved in 2024.
A spokesperson for Somerset Council stated:
"We are fully committed to ensuring that all carers have access to the support they need in Somerset."
The spokesperson also acknowledged the value of the specialist support offered by the CAS:
"The specialist support offered by the Mental Health Carers' Assessment Service via Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is highly valued, which is why we continue to contribute towards the delivery of these services."
Nevertheless, the decision to cut funding has met with criticism from those like Mel Warburton, who argues that despite budgetary constraints, there is a moral obligation to maintain these services.
"They'll tell you they've got to make the budget work and it's not a statutory requirement," – she said.
"It might not be a statutory requirement but surely it's a moral one." – she said.
The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is currently undergoing an internal consultation and has not commented on the plans concerning the CAS. This lack of response adds a layer of uncertainty about the future of these vital services.
Somerset Council defends its decision by highlighting the need for regular evaluations of supported services to ensure optimal value for residents:
"However, it is good practice that we as a local authority should review any service that we support to ensure that we are always providing the best value for our residents." – Somerset Council spokesperson
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