About the consultation report
The Queensland Government Carer Recognition Policy will guide the development and delivery of State Government policies and services to acknowledge carers and recognise and respect them as individuals, independent of the person they care for. This document summarises the findings of a public consultation process undertaken by Disability Services Queensland as one of the steps in developing The Queensland Government Carer Recognition Policy.
The public consultation process obtained community feedback on a draft Policy that had been developed by an Interdepartmental Committee. A total of 487 individuals or organisations throughout Queensland participated in the consultation process, either through attendance at public meetings (356) or by submitting a Consultation Feedback Booklet or submission (131).
Although this number is relatively small, it is not indicative of the level of interest among carers in the Policy. More carers were registered to attend consultation meetings, but many were unable to attend due to their caring responsibilities. To assist the development, Queensland Council of Carers, a peak body representing carers interests in Queensland, held consultations with its own members particularly in remote areas of the State and incorporated their feedback and comments into their submission.
There were some consistent and inter-related trends that emerged throughout the consultation process. One of the main issues arising for many carers was that "recognition" was not enough, they wanted "action rather than just words." The main trends that emerged are as follows:
- The draft Policy was supported by both individuals (39 per cent) and organisations (41 per cent) as a sound basis for refinement. Of these participants, 18 per cent made their support conditional on the basis of the Policy being implemented
- Approximately 40 percent of participants in total requested further action through implementing the Policy. Others referred to the need to express the Policy in measurable terms
- Approximately 21 per cent of individuals and 27 per cent of organisations wanted the Policy to be monitored and evaluated and they asked to be kept informed of the progress
- A small number of participants, approximately 13 per cent of individuals and 9 per cent of organisations, requested legislation rather than a policy document
- Many participants (33 per cent of individuals and 50 per cent of organisations) raised the need for additional funding for services or support and respite for carers
- The participants who were "lifelong" or "long-term" carers, (typically parents caring for a child or adult with a disability) expressed more need for support and respite
- Carers from rural or remote areas commented on the lack of services and support close to where they were living
- Approximately 24 per cent of individuals and 32 per cent of organisations mentioned the need to plan for the future, especially in light of the increasing numbers of ageing carers and older people as a proportion of the population
- Approximately 19 per cent of individuals and 14 per cent of organisations raised the need for more financial assistance directly to carers. Aligned to this suggestion, was a desire from approximately 12 per cent of individuals for a Carers Card. A smaller number (6 per cent) of individuals requested an increase to the income support for carers through the Commonwealth Carers Payment and Carers Allowance.
In addition to the above trends, carers expressed the need for:
- The expertise of carers and their knowledge of the person they were caring for to be recognised so that they could become active partners in planning their loved one's care
- Education and training or guidelines to assist carers, particularly carers new to their role and/or young carers wanted in the caring role
- Work and family/employment policies to specifically consider carers issues
- Information about services to be readily accessible
- Mechanisms to protect carer's rights such as a bill of rights
- Their needs as an individual to be considered
- Further investigation into the issue of young carers (carers under the age of 18 years).
The concept of caring differed for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and Indigenous backgrounds. The need for more culturally appropriate services for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and Indigenous backgrounds was also raised.
In the meetings and in the Consultation Feedback Booklet, participants suggested wording changes to the draft Policy. All suggested changes were considered and, where possible, incorporated into the final version of The Queensland Government Carer Recognition Policy.
Last updated February 2009