All Age Carers Service

Unpaid Carers in Cheshire West and Chester

Unpaid carers make a vital contribution to families, communities and the wider health and care system across Cheshire West and Chester. Census 2021 recorded 32,638 unpaid carers aged five and over, representing 9.5% of the borough's population, which is higher than the England average of 8.9%. Around 10,000 carers provide more than 50 hours of care each week, highlighting the significant contribution unpaid carers make to supporting people to remain independent and reducing demand on formal health and care services.

Demographic Profile

Unpaid carers in Cheshire West and Chester are a diverse population with varying needs and experiences. Census data shows that carers are more likely to be aged 50 and over, with women accounting for around 59% of carers. More than half of carers aged 16+ are in employment, balancing caring responsibilities alongside work, while around 28% identify as disabled themselves. Caring is experienced across all communities and age groups, including young carers, working-age adults and older carers, although higher levels of caring and caring intensity are evident in some of the borough's more deprived communities. The caring population is also expected to grow as the population ages and demand for informal care increases.

Current Unpaid Carer Services

Cheshire West and Chester council currently commissions separate services for adult carers, parent carers and young carers, alongside a wider network of statutory, voluntary, community and health services that support unpaid carers. As of June 2026, over 9,600 adult carers were registered with the commissioned adult carers service and 1,695 young carers were registered with the commissioned young carers service. Support is delivered through a range of services including information and advice, carer identification, assessments, wellbeing support, carers' breaks, peer support, training, community-based provision and specialist support. The current model also works closely with local partners to help carers access wider support available across the health, care and voluntary sector.

Service Aims

The Council is seeking a community-led, preventative and inclusive All-Age Carers Service that supports carers of all ages to be recognised, valued and supported.

The service will focus on:

• Earlier identification and support for carers.

• Improving wellbeing, resilience and independence.

• Empowering carers through information, advice and support.

• Strengthening community and peer support networks.

• Delivering accessible support through digital, community and face-to-face approaches.

• Working collaboratively with partners to improve outcomes for carers.

Outcomes

The service will help ensure that:

• Unpaid carers are recognised, valued and supported.

• Earlier access to information, advice and support enables carers to understand their rights and available options.

• Carers are empowered to navigate services and make informed choices.

• Health, wellbeing and quality of life are improved or maintained.

• Loneliness and social isolation are reduced through stronger community and peer connections.

• Carers are better able to balance caring responsibilities with other aspects of their lives

• Improved coordination across services, resulting in more seamless and person-centred support.

• Prevention and community-based support help reduce escalating need and reliance on crisis interventions.

High-Level Contract Information

The Council is seeking a provider to deliver a single integrated All-Age Carers Service across Cheshire West and Chester.

The service is expected to provide:

• A single point of access for carers.

• Information, advice, guidance and support.

• Early identification, outreach and engagement.

• Support to access carers' rights, assessments and available services.

• Wellbeing support, peer support and opportunities for breaks from caring.

• A blended digital, community-based and face-to-face offer.

• Strong partnership working across social care, education, health, community and voluntary sector organisations.

• Coordination of support pathways, community assets and specialist provision.

• A focus on co-production, continuous improvement and measurable outcomes.

Market Engagement Focus

We are keen to explore approaches that:

• Build on community strengths, local assets and support networks.

• Proactively identify and reach carers.

• Demonstrate strong collaborative partnership working across the area.

• Provide digitally enabled, accessible and inclusive support.

• Deliver innovative, flexible and responsive services.

• Demonstrate measurable impact and improved outcomes for carers of all ages.

• Provide inclusive and preventative support that reflects the diverse needs, circumstances and caring roles of unpaid carers.

• Delivery model, route to market and pricing