Draft National Strategy for Unpaid Carers – responding to the consultation
Welsh Government has launched a consultation on a new draft National Strategy for Unpaid Carers, which sets out an ambition for Wales to become a Carer Aware nation.
The consultation is open now and closes on 13 April 2026.
WCVA feels organisations who work directly with unpaid carers are best placed to respond to this consultation, so will not be issuing its own response. However, they ask organisations who respond to please refer to the Code of Practice for Funding the Third Sector in Wales in their responses. The Code of Practice is important for ensuring funding to the voluntary sector is long-term and sustainable. They have drafted some wording below for potential inclusion in your responses.
“The recently-refreshed Code of Practice for Funding the Third Sector sets out principles showing how funding delivered by Welsh Government, and Welsh Government funding delivered by other public sector bodies, should fund the voluntary sector in a more long-term, sustainable and impactful way.
“When commissioning services that support unpaid carers, it is crucial commissioners follow the five principles of the Code of Practice to achieve the best possible outcomes for those accessing said services. These principles are:
- Early and continuous dialogue – ensuring meaningful and regular engagement between funders and voluntary sector bodies
- Valuing and outcomes – ensuring funding decisions are based on a broad consideration of social, cultural, environmental and economic value outcomes.
- Appropriate funding mechanism – ensuring funders consider all options and choose the appropriate mechanism(s) to effectively deliver agreed outcomes.
- Flexibility – Ensure that if evidence of circumstances support the need, funder and funded organisations can suggest adjustments to agreements and delivery.
- Equity – Ensure fairness of access for all, creating a funding environment that is proportional, removes barriers to inclusion and builds support.”